Meriden ,KS

In the final game of the regular season, Holton and Jeff West would hook up on the hardwood in Meriden, and both Tiger girls and boys would complete the season sweep of the Wildcats.

GIRLS – The first time these teams squared off, it was a gritty defensive game with both teams holding the other under the season average in points as the Tigers won 26-24 back in January. So why would this night be any different? Holton and Jeff West each struggled early to see the ball through the hoop. After a slow start, the Tigers Sophomore duo of Kristin Biltoft and Mellany Roenne started to find their stroke with each hitting a triple in the first half to help balloon the tiger lead up to 17-10 with three minutes to go in the first half. Holton's defense would respond however, closing out the first half on a 5-0 run including forcing Jeff West into five straight empty possessions to end the half. In the third quarter buckets were scarce for these teams, but Holton found a spark down the stretch of the third led by Senior Danika Hickman who scored five straight points for Holton who ended the third similar to the second, on a 5-0 run to lead 25-24 heading to the fourth. At this point you're wondering what the final score would be, as both teams continuing to show a tough defensive presence. This game would come down to the final :11 seconds. Following a missed free throw from the Tigers, Holton trailed by 1 with the basketball. After a timeout, Holton showed they wanted to get their Junior Saydee Tanking the ball, but once again defense was the name of the game tonight and Tiger coach John Malloy implemented a defense that would not let Tanking touch the basketball. The Tigers would get a near steal and after the ball traveled out of bounds, Holton would trigger in again, this time with only :05 seconds left. The very next pass was also knocked out of bounds by the Tigers and Holton had one more shot, with :02 seconds left. With the Tigers denying Tanking the ball, Holton went with the hot handed Hickman who had a great look but couldn't get the bunny to drop as time expired. The Tigers completed the sweep on the year with the 33-32 victory.

Holton (11-9) had many chances in this game to try and steal one in Meriden but missed shots around the rim proved to be costly. The defensive effort was once again there for the Wildcats, but on Tuesday they faced a very talented team in the Tigers who have (young) ball handlers that will be fun to watch in the future years. Up next Holton waits to see where they land in the class 4A Rankings to see if they will host or hit the road in the opening round of sub state.

Jeff West (12-8) did something that they've only done twice now on the year. Win a close game. And a much needed win at that heading into their sub state tournament next week at Royal Valley. The Tigers locked up the second seed in the sub state with the win and got the win by playing phenomenal defense and timely scoring. Jeff West only trailed twice in the game, and both deficits didn't last long. With the win the Tigers now set their sights for Santa Fe Trail who they will host in the opening round of sub state next Tuesday March 3rd.

SCORING

Holton – S. Tanking 13, D. Hickman 9, M. Patch 4, T. Moore 3, F. Haussler 2, P. Crouch 1

Jeff West – Kr. Biltoft 9, M. Roenne 9, N. Roenne 5, Ki. Biltoft 5, H. Kahler 5

BOYS – These teams squared off in January and it was all Jeff West with the Tigers claiming victory 57-38 in Holton. This time Holton would try and parlay their hot shooting from Monday into Tuesday. The 'Cats started off the game jumping out to a 7-0 lead, just like they did on Monday. Also like Monday their opponent, this time Jeff West would respond to close the first quarter on a 5-2 run to trail 9-5. The second quarter would be won by the Tigers 9-8 as they found some consistency from the outside, hitting three trey's in the quarter as Holton's lead at the half was 17-14. The third stanza would belong to the 'Cats for the majority of the quarter as they would extend their lead to 23-19 with 1:30 to go in the quarter. That's when the Tigers would go on a run to close out the night. Jeff West would get a three from Senior Joseph Anderson and a layup from Bryce Clements to close out the quarter on a 5-0 run and lead for the first time in the game at 24-23. The Tigers would continue the scoring outburst and hold Holton to just three, fourth quarter points. Jeff West closed the game on an extended 18-3 run to win 37-26.

Holton (5-15) started the game shooting the ball well, including from the outside as they had on Monday, this time however, instead of the hot shooting continuing they went ice cold in the second half, scoring just nine second half points. After having three score in double figures the night before, Holton couldn't muster a single player into double figures against the extended zone pressure from Jeff West. Holton now will have to wait to see where their opening round game will be in the class 4A sub state as they have locked in at the #15 seed in the West.

Jeff West (12-8) winners of five of their last eight games have some momentum heading into their 3A sub state at Royal Valley next week. After a slow start from the field, the Tigers started to heat up from the outside connecting on 5 three's in the game. However as it was in the girls game, defense won this one for the Tigers. Holding Holton to a season low 26 points while forcing ten turnovers and frustrating the Wildcat shooters who seemed to be locked in the night before. The Tigers will look to keep their momentum rolling next week as the #5 seed and travel to #4 Perry Lecompton in the opening round of their sub state. The Tigers and Kaws split their season series, with the road team winning each game.

SCORING

Holton – Ka. Purcell 6, B. Bontrager 6, E. Prine 6, B. Mulroy 3, C. Karn 3, T. Wright 2

Jeff West – B. Clements 8, J. Anderson 8, J. Broxterman 7, G. Athon 6, B. Gleason-Cruz 5, Q. Neuenswander 3