Boys Overpower Coyotes
The St. Francis Indians overpowered the Weskan Coyotes 52-25 in the the opening round of the Sagebrush Shootout Basketball Tournament in Brewster on Monday, December 3rd. The Indians jumped out to an early lead and gradually widened the margin throughout the contest. The Indians received good scoring balance with five players scoring 6 or more points in the contest. The win advanced the Indians to the championship semi-final contest against Wichita County on Friday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the South Gym at Brewster High School. Wichita County defeated Triplains-Brewster 54-49 in their opening round match-up.
The first half of the contest was marred with numerous turnovers; St. Francis had 10 while Weskan totaled 9. In the second half, both teams reduced their turnovers in half with each team committing five errors. St. Francis' superior size and good interior passing were major factors in the win. St. Francis opened the game with a 7-0 run earning an offensive rebound basket (plus one) by Brady Dinkel, a steal-two by Dinkel, and a stick-back basket by Jesse Baxter. Weskan's first basket came on a left-corner trey by Tracer Vincent (5' 6" Sr.). Colton Neitzel soon answered with an offensive rebound bucket. Brady Dinkel's steal-two score led to a Weskan time-out at 2:12. The Indians led 11-3. Following the time-out, the Indians added three more baskets; a post basket by Colton Neitzel (assist Connor Keller), a stick-back basket by Baxter, and a top-of-the key trey by Keller (assist Dinkel). The flurry increased the margin to 18-3. Weskan added an additional basket in the closing moments on an out-of-bounds play score by Caleb Schemm (5' 11" Sr.). St. Francis led 18-5 at the first quarter break.
The second period was much different as the teams battled evenly during the quarter. St. Francis scored the first basket of the period on an assist by Richard Johnson leading to a left-wing jumper by K.C. Krien. Weskan's Jace Mackley (5' 11" Jr.) soon answered with a fast-break basket. Neither team scored again until the 3:40 mark of the period, when an assist by Brady Dinkel led to a right-wing trey by Connor Keller. Zach Schemm (5' 11" So.) followed with a left-wing basket for the Coyotes. Jesse Baxter's offensive rebound basket was offset by two free-throws by Mackley. Each team would score once more before halftime. Draven Houtman scored a post basket after an assist by Dinkel. Weskan's Dalton Mackley (5' 8" Fr.) drained a right-wing trey late in the period. St. Francis led by the same margin, 27-14.
St. Francis out-scored the Coyotes 17-6 in the third period. Brady Dinkel opened the second half with a left-wing trey. Caleb Schemm then scored for Weskan on a stick-back basket; the basket was the 4th offensive rebound of the possession for the Coyotes. Connor Keller's assist led to a post basket by Richard Johnson (plus one). After Dinkel earned a coast-to-coast driving score, Weskan took a time-out to regroup at 5:22 trailing 35-16. Dinkel's stick-back basket after the return to action gave the Indians a 21-point advantage. Zach Schemm's free-throw area jumper preceded an offensive rebound score by Colton Neitzel. A trey by Dinkel increased the margin to 42-18, but was followed by a Z. Schemm left-wing score. A sweet high-low post pass from Jesse Baxter to Neitzel accounted for the final third period score. St. Francis led 44-20 after three periods of play.
The Indians opened the final period with an eight-point run. Richard Johnson scored on an aggressive move to the goal early in the period and followed it with another strong move resulting in a free-throw. Weskan called time-out at 6:01 to discuss defensive strategy. St. Francis then added a basket by Colton Neitzel on another sharp high-low pass from Jesse Baxter. After a Baxter free-throw that started the running clock, a steal and assist by Connor Keller led to a lay-up by K.C. Krien. The Indians now led 52-20. With everyone suited for the Indians receiving court time, the Coyotes earned two final baskets in the contest; a right wing trey by Dalton Mackley and a turnover-two by Jace Mackley. St. Francis defeated the Weskan Coyotes 52-25.
St. Francis was led in scoring by Brady Dinkel with 17 points. Jesse Baxter chipped in 9, and Colton Neitzel added 8. Others scoring for St. Francis included Richard Johnson and Conner Keller each with 6, K.C. Krien 4, and Draven Houtman 2. The Indians committed 13 fouls and made 7 of 10 from the line.
Weskan was led in scoring by Dalton and Jace Mackley; each with 6 points. The Coyotes committed 12 fouls and made 2 of 9 from the stripe.
In other opening round contests, Logan defeated Cheylin 63-44, and Wallace County defeated Golden Plains 68-28.
Draven Houtman made 20 of 25 free-throws in opening round competition in the boys free-throw contest.
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