By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Larned, Russell split basketball games
layton crosby
Larned Indian Layton Crosby scores inside. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO Janet Fleske

LARNED 63, RUSSELL 53

BY BUDDY TABLER

Special to the Tribune

RUSSELL -- The Larned boys built a 23-point lead and settled for a solid 63-53 non-conference basketball win over Russell Monday.

Senior point guard Jack Stelter had a big 21 point night. Layton Crosby added 14, Andreus Tucker nine and Dillan Smith eight.

“It’s great to get a road win, but I am disappointed with how we finished,” said Larned coach Jerrod Smith. “We had a 23-point lead and, if we had played smart, could have finished the game giving our guys a rest. We were really solid for three quarters.”

Ethan Haas scored off an offensive rebound on Larned’s first two possessions for a fast start. Larned’s sticky 1-3-1 zone defense gave Russell’s offense fits to spark a 34-20 edge at halftime behind 50% first-half shooting. Russell converted 2 of 10 3-pointers when the game’s momentum was being established. 

Larned moved to a 53-36 lead at the end of the third quarter. Russell sliced the lead to nine points with a 17-10 edge in the final quarter. The Indians converted some late free throws. 

Russell converted 20 field goals on 37 attempts for 54% and 4 of 10 free throws. Jackson Cross scored 12, Charles Krug 11 and Braydon Gibson 9.

Larned (7-11) converted 22 of 52 shots for 42% and 12 of 19 free throws. 

RUSSELL GIRLS 53, LARNED 29

RUSSELL – The Russell girls forced Larned into 29 turnovers to spark a 53-29 basketball win over the Lady Indians in a non-conference game. Russell forced 18 first-half turnovers for a 12-7 first-quarter lead and 26-12 halftime margin.

Russell’s Emerson Nichols handled the ball, scored 18 points outside and inside to dominate the game. Russell (9-10) made five 3-pointers.

“We’re a young team and, due to injuries, we don’t have our ballhandlers available so we turned the ball over a lot and it cost us,” said Larned coach Ashley Crosby. “We shot the ball pretty well and competed hard all evening. We are missing too many pieces.”

Russell converted 18 of 39 field goal attempts for 46% and 11 of 17 from the free throw line. Camille Dortland added 16 and Rylan Reeves 10. 

Larned’s freshman Akiela Collins scored nine points while Cadee Upson added eight and Liz Herrerra four. The Lady Indians (2-16) made 12 of 32 field goal attempts and converted 5 of 7 free throws.