ST. JOHN 45, CENTRAL CHRISTIAN 39 — Braxton Alpers' hustle play sparked a game-changing 7-0 scoring run that led to a hard-fought 45-39 non-league basketball victory over Hutchinson Central Christian Friday.

Cougar Piercen Huff raced upcourt for a potential game-tying basket when Alpers' hustling defensive steal led to Wyatt Mawhirter's layup off an assist by Easton Alpers. Alpers passed to Kaden Foote for a basket and Alpers followed with a crucial basket for a 41-33 lead. 

St. John (5-2) was led by Braxton Alpers (12) and Emmett Delp (11). Central Christian (4-4) was paced by Luke Eigsti (12) and Huff (11).

Both teams patiently worked for quality shots with good ball movement and player movement. Both teams also showed off man-to-man, trapping and zone defenses.

St. John 8 12 10 15 — 45

C. Christian 9 11 5 14 — 39 

ST. JOHN (5-2)—Braxton Alpers 6 0-2 12, Delp 4 3-5 11, Foote 3 0-0 6, Reyes 1 2-4 4, Mawhirter 2-6 4, Easton Apers 2 (1) 0-1 5, Lozano 1 0-0 2; Ibarra 1 1-2 1; Totals 18 (1) 8-20 45

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN (4-4)—Eigsti 4 (1) 3-6 12, Huff 4 (2) 1-2 11, Barnett 4 (1) 0-0 9, Half Moon 2 (1) 0-0 5, Franz 1 0-0 2, Totals 15 (5) 4-8 39

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN GIRLS 47, ST. JOHN 43 — When Jaylin Fisher converted a basket after Regan Bonner's 3-pointer, St. John's girls were poised for an upset over state-ranked Hutchinson Central Christian with a 34-31 lead with 4:47 left.

The momentum shifted as the Cougars halfcourt trap produced six consecutive Tigers turnovers and a lightning fast 13-0 scoring run.

Cougar standout Jessa Losew scored three baskets, Avery Kauffman converted a banked 3-pointer and Avery Duft and Ava Newcome scored baskets for a 44-34 lead. Losew and Newcome scored layups directly off Tiger turnovers.

St. John baskets by Gentry Bright, Bonner and free throws by Fisher made it 47-43. An apparent Cougar travel wasn't called with 11 seconds left.

The Tigers (3-4) nearly overcame a zero-for-16 start from the field. The Tigers used second-chance points and aggressive defense in the third quarter. 

St. John 1 12 16 14 — 43

C. Christian 10 9 10 18 — 47 

ST. JOHN (3-4) (FG/3/FT/TP)—Bonner 5-11 (2-4) 0-2 12; Fisher 3-13 (0-3) 3-6 9, Bright 3-10 (1-2) 2-4 9, Brummer 3-5 1-3 7, Rockenbach 2-7 (0-4) 1-2 5, Peterson 0-0 1-2 1, Burgan (0-1) 0-0 0, Totals 16-47 (3-14) 8-19 43

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN (7-1) (FG/3/FT/TP)—Kauffman 5-9 (3-6) 2-3 15, Losew 6-11 0-3 12, Swanson 3-8 2-4 8; Duft 2-7 (0-4) 0-0 4; Harper Newcome 1-2 1-1 3; Huff 0-1 2-2 2; Ava Newcome 1-2 1-2 3; Totals 18-40 (3-10) 8-15 47