BY BUDDY TABLER

PRATT — Jadyn Crosby led four Larned Indians in double figures with 20 points in a 60-29 basketball victory over the Pratt Greenbacks.

Larned girls come out firing, hitting 7 of 9 shots for a dominating 23-3 lead after the first quarter. Crosby hit consecutive 3-point shots to open the game and scored 11 first-quarter points. The game was played with a running clock in the fourth quarter.

Larned convered 14 of 23 first half shots for 60% shooting for a 38-13 halftime lead that was extended to 51-21 after three quarters. 

Larned’s aggressive man-to-man defense forced 22 Pratt turnovers. The Indians scored 12 points turnovers to keep the Pratt offense on its heels. Freshman Johanna Forssberg was the only Greenback in double figures with 10 points.

Pratt made 11 of 31 shots for 35%. Larned made 23 of 46 shots for 50% from the field and made 5 of 13 three-point attempts.

Larned 23 15 13 9 — 60

Pratt 3 10 8 8 — 29

LARNED—Crosby 20, Sleder 13, Simmons 11, Wachs 10, Reynolds 4, Upson 2

PRATT—Forssberg 10, Hughes 8, Winkelpleck 6, McAllister 3, Riley 2

Larned 23 15 13 9 — 60

Pratt 3 10 8 8 — 29

LARNED—Crosby 20, Sleder 13, Simmons 11, Wachs 10, Reynolds 4, Upson 2

PRATT—Forsberg 10, Hughes 8, Winkelpleck 6, McAllister 3, Riley 2

PRATT 59, LARNED 19 — Pratt's Arley Morrell scored 18 points to lead Pratt's boys past Larned 59-19 in Thursday's basketball season opener.

Pratt Greenbacks demonstrated that they are among the favorites in Central Kansas League basketball this season as they outmuscled and outran the Larned Indians here Thursday evening, 59-19 behind their All-State candidate, Arley Morrell.

A stifling defense that refused to let Larned get comfortable on offense led to 18 Larned turnovers and coupled with a huge rebounding advantage, led the Greenbacks to their 40-point win in the opening game of the season for both teams.

The first quarter didn’t predict what was to come as the Greenbacks led only 15-8 but they turned up the pressure in the second quarter behind the scoring of Caleb Strong and Arley Morrell to grab a 27-10 halftime edge as they held Larned to only two second quarter points.

After halftime Pratt keyed their offense around the 6’6” Morrell and he dominated the paint and scored 10 third-quarter points as the Greenbacks extended their lead to 45-14. Larned again had trouble scoring as they put only four points on the scoreboard in that third quarter.  The fourth quarter was played with a running clock as the Greenbacks cruised to victory.

Part of Larned’s scoring difficulties could be pointed to foul trouble as both of the Indian inside players, 6’3 Tristan Regan and 6’7” Kylier Greene got into early foul trouble, both picking up two in the first quarter, limiting their effectiveness throughout the game.

Pratt returns four starters from last season and their experience and athletic ability were on full demonstration. Pratt decisively won the rebounding competition as the cornered 33 caroms to Larned’s 18 and won the turnover battle 18 to 7.

Larned struggled shooting with 6 of 31 field goals ( 19%) due to the Greenbacks aggressive defense. Pratt converted 24 of 56 shots for 42% with numerous second chance opportunities due to their rebounding advantage.

Larned 8 2 4 5 — 19

Pratt 15 12 18 14 — 59

LARNED—Pinkston 6, Greene 6, Tristan Regan 3, Gonzalez 2, Hagerman 2

PRATT—Morrell 18, Strong 10, Titus 8, Pore 8, Lara 4, Liggett 4, Schmidt 4, Thibault 3Larned 8 2 4 5 — 19

Pratt 15 12 18 14 — 59

LARNED—Pinkston 6, Greene 6, Tristan Regan 3, Gonzalez 2, Hagerman 2

PRATT—Morrell 18, Strong 10, Titus 8, Pore 8, Lara 4, Liggett 4, Schmidt 4, Thibault 3