BY BUDDY TABLER

LARNED — No. 3 state ranked Halstead displayed defense that captured a 3A state title last year to power past Larned 43-34 behind Addisen Wills and Jordy Schroeder scoring 15 apiece in Friday's Central Kansas League basketball game.

Larned had scored 56, 56 and 65 points in its previous three games. But the Indians struggled getting quality shots against an aggressive Halstead man-to-man defense that shut down Larned’s inside game.

Halstead (11-0, 2-0 CKL) used double-teams to deny Larned‘s leading scorer, Jadyn Crosby the basketball. The aggressive, and effective defense, held Crosby to four points. It was a rough-and-tumble game and the officials “let them play."

Larned (8-3, 1-1 CKL) was paced by Cassidy Wachs with 10 points. Taeten Reynolds and Lauren Sleder scored eight apiece. 

The Indians rallied in the second half behind the scoring of Reynolds and Wachs to get within 28-23 after three quarters. Larned was tied and had a possession to take the lead, but a turnover erased that chance. 

Halstead’s Schroeder scored eight fourth-quarter points to thwart Larned's comeback. Wills added four fourth-quarter points.

“Halstead is an excellent team," said Larned coach Jerrod Smith. "Our shooting wasn’t there against a team the defending state champs, and that’s not good. We came back to get the game tied, but we got a little winded. We didn’t energy in that fourth quarter. I'm proud of our defensive effort." 

Halstead led 23-13 at halftime. Halstead grabed multiple offensive rebounds to get 11 more shot attempts than Larned.

Larned’s strong defensive effort held Halstead to 15 makes out of 49 attempts (30%). The Dragons converted seven 3-pointers and 6 of 15 free throws.

Larned made 11 of 37 shot attempts (30%) with five successful 3-point shots and 7 of 12 free throws.

Halstead 10 13 5 15 — 43

Larned 8 5 10 11 — 34

HALSTEAD (11-0, 2-0)—Addisen Wills 5 5-7 15; Jordy Schroeder 5 (4) 1-2 15; Annie Williams 1 0-0 2; Piper Schroeder (2) 0-4 6; Tess Williams 2 (1) 0-2 5; Totals 15-49 (7) 6-15 43

LARNED (8-3, 1-1)—Wachs 3 (2) 2-4 10; Reynolds (2) 2-2 8; Sleder 3 2-4 8; Brooke Simmons (1) 1-2 4; Crosby 2 0-0 4; Totals 11-37 (5) 7-12 34

HALSTEAD 64, LARNED 53 — Halstead's Damian Whillock converted eight 3-pointers and scored 30 points as the Dragons downed Larned 64-53 in Friday's Central Kansas League basketball game.

Halstead (5-7, 1-1 CKL) outscored the Indians 39-12 from 3-point range. Larned's Kylier Greene scored 25 points. Landis Hagerman came off of the bench to add 13 points for the Indians and Tristan Regan scored eight. 

Larned pulled with three points entering the fourth quarter but Halstead turned the tables in the critical fourth quarter and pulled away from the Indians to win 64-53. Halstead's Reece Carmichael added 10 points.

Halstead roared ahead 22-12 after the first quarter only to see Larned lead 31-29 with seconds remaining before halftime. Halstead’s Noah Diehl banked in a 3-pointer from beyond half-court to give the Dragons the 32-31 edge. 

It was an omen of what was to come.

"We played two strong quarters in the middle, but didn’t play well going down the stretch," said Larned coach Luke Steinlage. "We shot poorly in the second half and that somewhat led to a poor defensive effort on their shooters. We didn’t get out quick enough and they knocked down some critical 3s.”

Halstead converted 7 of 8 field goals, including six 3-point shots to take command in the first quarter. But 14 Halstead first-half turnovers let Larned get back into the game. Halstead led 45-42 after three quarters.

Whillock poured in 11 fourth-quarter points to spark the Dragons. Reece Carmichael added four points in the quarter.

Halstead (5-7, 1-1 CKL) shot 54% in the first half and finished the game 24 of 46 (52%). 

Larned (4-7, 1-1 CKL) finished the night 22 of 50 from the field (44%) and 5 of 11 from the charity stripe. 

Halstead 22 10 13 19 — 64

Larned 12 19 11 11 — 53

HALSTEAD (5-7, 1-1)—Whillock 11 (8) 0-0 30; Carmichael 3 (2) 2-2 10; Martinez (2) 0-0 6; Brantley 3 0-0 6; Hobbs 2 0-1 4; Diehl (1) 1-2 4;  Diaz 2 0-0 4; Totals 24-46 (13) 3-5 64

LARNED (4-7, 1-1)—Kylier Greene 11 3-8 25; Hagerman (4) 1-1 13; Tristan Regan 4 0-0 8; Pinkston 2 1-2 5; Gonzalez 1 0-0 2; Totals 22-50 (5-18) 5-11 53