Subway Sports Spotlight, Feb. 11th

Check out a few noteworthy stories from recent Kansas high school basketball action, and head to Subway for pre- or post-game meals, catering or Footlong Faves starting at $4.99. Order online at Subway.com.

Chanute continues dominant season

ROSE HILL - A week after winning their home SEK Invite class 4A's top ranked Blue Comets dominated the Rose Hill Invitational last weekend finishing more than 50 points ahead of 5A's seventh ranked McPherson Bullpups and 6A's sixth ranked Derby Panthers.

Chanute got individual titles from Trent Clements (106), Kolton Misener (113), Parker Winder (160) and Brayden Dillow (182), a runner-up finish from Ty Leedy (132) and third place finishes from Trey Dillow (120), Logan McDonald (145) and Brady McDonald (152).

Clements improved to 33-1 on the season, Brayden Dillow improved to 33-1 and Misener is now 31-4 while Winder improved to 33-3 and pinned 4A's top-ranked Cael Johnson of Burlington in the 160 pound championship match handing him his first loss of the season and avenging an earlier loss in the process.

Find complete results from the Rose Hill Inivtational at trackwrestling.com.

John Baetz

Third-ranked Haven dominates fifth-ranked Hoisignton

HAVEN — The Haven High School Wildcats made a statement last Friday night in front of their home crowd by thoroughly defeating Hoisington, 71-47. 

The game was highly anticipated as the two team’s entered Friday with a combined record of 25-3. According to the Feb. 4 rankings from the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, the game was also a battle of two top-five teams in 3A. 

But Haven came out with fire from the opening tip, and led the entire way. Haven senior Wyatt Carmichael had 13 of his team-high 17 points in the first half as the Wildcats led by 11 at the break. Haven took a 10-point lead into the fourth, and outscored Hoisington 23-9 in the final eight minutes. 

Haven also received 13 points from junior Darby Roper and from senior Mario Quintero, while junior Zane Jacques added 10. The Wildcats are now 14-1 on the season, but remain in second place in the Halstead Sub-State behind 14-1 Hesston.

Hoisington drops to 12-3 which at press time was good for third place in the Beloit Sub-State behind Beloit (12-3) and Thomas More-Prep (12-2). Juniors Drew Nicholson and Mason Haxton led the Cardinals with 13 points, while sophomore Bralen Thompson added 10.

Gallagher Martin

Trinity grad throws perfect game in college debut

HUTCHINSON — Jordan Galliher led Hutchinson-Trinity Catholic to a third-place finish in 2-1A softball her senior year of high school. Now, Galliher has already made an immediate impact at the collegiate level, throwing a perfect game in her college debut last Saturday for Hutchinson Community College.

Galliher retired all 15 batters on 58 pitches, recording seven strikeouts in the process. HCC won the game 9-0 in five innings due to mercy rule. Galliher struck out the side in the final inning.

Galliher’s perfect game came in game two of a double header. The Blue Dragons also won game one against Allen Community College, 19-1. 

Gallagher Martin

Maize sweeps rival Maize South

MAIZE — The Maize South girls basketball team had a 12-game winning streak snapped Friday night at the hands of rival Maize. 

Maize South hadn’t lost since the season opener against Andover Central, but Maize had the answer for the red-hot Mavericks. Maize held Maize South to two points in the first quarter and seven points at halftime. 

Maize South never had a chance, although senior Kaydyn Davison scored 15 of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter. Entering the fourth, Maize South had 16 points before Davison nearly matched that in one quarter. 

Despite Davison’s heroics, Maize won comfortably, led by a balanced attack. Eight different Eagles recorded a point, as senior Emily Laham led the team with 11 points.

Maize South is now 12-2 and hosts Valley Center on Tuesday. Maize, 9-5, has now won five of its last six games and travels to Buhler on Tuesday. 

Gallagher Martin

Phillipsburg knocks off Trego behind Jacobs, Sides

Phillipsburg junior Meredith Jacobs has watched her family enjoy great success with the Panthers. Her father, Cory, was a longtime Phillipsburg assistant football coach. Older brother Seth earned multiple honors, including Kpreps 3A first team all-state offensive line in 2016. Phillipsburg captured a pair of state football titles, the only in program history, in ’15 and ’18. Luke Jacobs was also a multiple sport standout in football, wrestling and golf.

“I feel like I have a really big record to uphold,” Meredith said. “After my dad is a state championship football coach, and my brother was there. I just feel like I have that name that’s like, ‘Oh, she must be really good.’ So I sometimes feel pressure, but it’s always like, ‘OK, let’s show them what Jacobs can do.’”

This winter, Meredith and the Panthers are on the verge of school history on the court. Last Friday, Phillipsburg earned a signature 47-40 road win versus WaKeeney-Trego Community in Mid-Continent League play. The Golden Eagles were undefeated and ranked first in Class 2A.

Phillipsburg had lost to Trego, 45-31, on Jan. 25 in the MCL midseason tournament championship game. Jacobs, the team’s tallest player by two inches at 5-foot-11, had two points and zero field goals in the Trego loss. 

In the victory, Jacobs delivered 10 points and three rebounds and helped the Panthers finish plus-12 on the glass. Jacobs’ height helped key Phillipsburg’s transition offense, which led to multiple baskets. Panther freshman Taryn Sides continued her excellent season with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

“She really good about getting the balls, and if we get it, she’s really good about rushing the floor,” Jacobs said. “And I just get it right to her, and it helps that I am taller than everyone else, so I can just see her and I know where she is at all times.”

Phillipsburg has already bested last year’s win total from a 12-10 season. The Panthers have posted several nice records, including 17-6 in ’14 and 16-6 in ’12, though have never made the state tournament in girls’ program history. 

Phillipsburg, which has been a part of the league since the ‘50s, are the only current MCL girls’ squad to never reach state, according to conference archives. The Panthers are two games ahead in the loss column of second-place Beloit in the Beloit sub-state.

The Panthers girls have also not earned a regular season MCL girls’ championship since the ‘70s, according to conference archives. After the win against WaKeeney, Phillipsburg controls its own destiny for the regular season title – and can pick up the title this week. Phillipsburg is at home against Norton and TMP on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Conor Nicholl

Lowrie signs with Tabor, has big night against Hoxie

On Feb. 5, Oakley’s 5-foot-11 senior forward Jordyn Lowrie signed with Tabor College. As well, Lowrie, known for leaping ability, athleticism and defense, delivered another hallmark performance in a 48-40 road win versus rival Hoxie on Feb. 4.

Lowrie finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, five blocks, three assists and a steal. Entering the fourth quarter, Oakley trailed 31-28, though opened the quarter on a 12-2 run. In the fourth, Lowrie had 11 points, two blocks, one rebound, one assist and one steal. Overall, Oakley had just eight turnovers and held Hoxie to 32 percent shooting.

Lowrie, one of three unanimous first team all-Mid-Continent League selections last season, has helped Oakley win six straight and improve to 12-5. Oakley, known for its defense, has allowed just 38.2 points per game. The Plainsmen, with its veteran staff of head coach Mike Zimmerman and assistant Steve Allison, has clinched its first winning season since 2013-14.

Last Friday, Oakley won at Plainville, 47-28. The Plainsmen limited the Cardinals to 22 percent shooting, including 0 of 18 from beyond the arc. Oakley is the only team to defeat Phillipsburg in league play with a 42-41 home win Jan. 31. The Plainsmen is 4-0 in one-point games this winter.

Conor Nicholl

Machia Mullens eclipses 1,000 point mark

Liberal senior post Machia Mullens recently cleared 1,000 career points. Mullens has signed with NCAA Division I UMKC. Her teammate, senior point guard Katie Horyna, has inked with Division I Abilene Christian. Mullens averaged 15 points and 7.2 rebounds a contest as a junior.

This year, Mullens has helped Liberal to a 15-0 start and No. 2 ranking in Class 6A. The classification has three perfect squads, all on the west with Wichita Heights, Liberal and Topeka. The Redskins have an average score of 51-32 after a 43-20 road win versus Newton on Monday, Liberal’s 49th straight in the regular season.

Last Friday, Liberal defeated Great Bend, 45-38, as Mullens led the team with 15 points and nine rebounds. Mullens was recognized for 1,000 career points before the GB victory. Entering the game, Mullens was at 14 points and eight rebounds a contest, according to Liberal broadcaster Brock Kappelmann.

Conor Nicholl

Moore siblings reach Circle Invite finals, Nickerson takes third

TOWANDA — Nickerson High School was well represented at the Circle Invitational Wrestling Tournament on Saturday.

Nickerson freshman Gavin Moore went 4-0 and captured the 106 championship. Moore won his first three matches by fall before winning an 11-5 decision over Larned sophomore Austin Armstrong in the finals. 

Moore's older sister, Nichole, also made the finals, but fell in a contested-championship match. Nichole, a senior, fell in the championship to Larned's Dillen Hook by a 3-2 decision. Nichole is the top-ranked wrestler at 116 in the girls rankings. 

Senior Gage Cooper won the 132 division convincingly. Cooper won by fall in three of his four matches, including the championship in which he defeated Frontenac's Bennie Adarr with a pin 39 seconds into the match. 

Senior Jarin Gomez, ranked sixth at 170 in 4A, showed why he was the No. 1 seed in Circle by winning all four matches by fall. Gomez defeated Frontenac sophomore Justice Compton in the finals by fall early in the third period. 

As a team, Nickerson finished third with 139 points. The Panthers trailed second-place Larned (153.5) and champions Frontenac (220) out of seven teams.

Gallagher Martin

Lane becomes Harmon all-time leading scorer

High-flying KC-Harmon junior Lonell Lane, known for his highlight reel dunks, surpassed Juaun Wilson as the school's all-time leading scorer during the Hawks 75-38 win over Atchison Monday night.

Lane had 12 points in the win to push his career total to 1,146 points. Harmon had five players in double figures including Walzel Evans (20), Mike Carson (12), Chauncey Keys (11) and Jason Rodriguez (10).

Harmon currently leads the East standings with a 14-2 record.

John Baetz

Coaches, athletes, fans and parents, are you aware of an interesting story about your favorite high school team? Email us details for future releases of the Subway Sports Spotlight, and head to Subway for pre- or post-game meals, catering or Footlong Faves starting at $4.99. Order online at Subway.com.