By Staff
MCPHERSON – The McPherson Middle School boys basketball teams had a good week with the ‘A’ teams getting a pair of wins over Newton and Salina Lakewood while the ‘B’ team beat Newton but lost to Salina Lakewood.
With the two wins, the 7th grade ‘A’ team is now 3-1 for the season while the ‘B’ team falls to 2-2 as they prep to play Monday hosting Hutchinson and Thursday at Salina South. The ‘B’ team will also play in a tournament on Saturday at Goddard Eisenhower.
On Thursday hosting Salina Lakewood the ‘A’ team scored a 44-30 victory while the ‘B’ team took a tough 28-20 loss.
In the ‘A’ game Jaxon Hoover led the team in scoring with 10 while both Drake Timson and Tripp Pelzel just missed double digits with nine and eight points, respectively.
“We really had some good practices leading up to this game and to see that same effort put forth really was nice to see as a coach,” noted 7th grade head coach Jay Crawford. “The team came out and had a great start in the first quarter. We ran out to a lead of 17-3 by the end of the first quarter. Salina Lakewood beat us by four in the first game of the season so that really got our attention on how much we needed to improve. We still have so much to improve on, and we keep this same effort. We will continue to improve.”
In the ‘B’ game on Thursday the 7th grade Junior Pups lost by eight, 28-20. Lawson Ediger and Gavin Heider led the team in scoring with each scoring six points.
Coach Crawford concluded his reflections on the games with Salina Lakewood by saying, “Our ‘B’ team continues to play hard. They play hard through good plays and plays which they make a mistake. Each player gives it their all and that is great to see. Players are starting to figure out the offense and are starting to see where the open shots will be. Nice to see guys attack the basket. The ‘B’ team will be in a one day, two-game tournament at Goddard Eisenhower on Saturday. We are excited to be able to compete again.”
‘A’ Team won 44-30 over Salina Lakewood
‘A’ Team Scoring > Jaxon Hoover – 10; Drake Timson – 9; Tripp Pelzel – 8; Kaleb Postier – 6; Tre Winburn – 6; Gavin Heider – 3; Carter Melton – 2.
‘B’ Team lost 28-20 to Salina Lakewood
‘B’ Team Scoring > Lawson Ediger – 6; Gavin Heider – 6; Cooper Bohme – 3; Colt Chapman – 2; Isaac Nelson – 2; Logan Starks – 1.
On Monday, the 7th grade Junior Pups ‘A’ team scored a six-point, 24-18 win over Newton with Tre Winburn leading the offense with eight points while both Tripp Pelzel and Jaxon Hoover each scored five.
“Our ‘A’ team moved to 2-1 on the season but we did not play very well,” explained head coach Jay Crawford. “There is so much we need to go back to practice and work on. I need to do a better job preparing them for games. Everything was a struggle on both ends of the court. Fundamentals are something we need to keep working on as well as attacking.”
In the ‘B’ game, the Junior Pups recorded a decisive 14-point, 31-17 win over Newton.
Logan Staks topped the game in scoring with 10 points.
Coach Crawford offered up a few post-game reflections when he noted, “The ‘B’ team once again had eight players score. We really enjoy their effort and how they are willing to play physical and just compete. They are starting to play downhill and get into the paint which allows them to get off shots in the paint.”
‘A’ Team won 24-18 over Newton.
‘A’ Team Scoring > Tre Winburn – 8; Tripp Pelzel – 5; Jaxon Hoover – 5; Jensen Razak – 2; Carter Melton – 2; Drake Timson – 2.
‘B’ Team won 31-17 over Newton.
‘B’ Team Scoring > Logan Starks – 10; Kaleb Postier – 6; Brody Milleson – 4; Cooper Bohme – 3; Dylan Fetsch – 2; Holtyn Hamblin – 2; Lawson Ediger – 2; Gavin Heider – 2.
(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)