Holton, KS

On Friday it was the second time Sabetha and Holton matched up this season on the court. In December, the LadyJays won and the Wildcats were victorious to earn a split. This time around, there would be another split, however it was the opposite sides with the LadyCats and the BlueJays claiming victories.

GIRLS- A quick start by Holton Junior Saydee Tanking, scoring Holton's first 7 points of the game over just three minutes. However Sabetha would close the first quarter on a 7-1 run and trail Holton 8-7. The second frame is where things started to heat up even more for Holton as the 'Cats outscored the 'Jays 23-11 to hold a halftime lead of 31-18. In large part due to big shots from the outside, Holton was led by Tanking's sixteen first half points and Senior Danika Hickman's nine.

Sabetha was paced by Leah Renyer and Maggi Hughes each with six points in the half. After the break, Sabetha would turn up the defense forcing 13 Holton turnovers in the second half, however the 'Jays couldn't get many shots to fall or narrow the gap any closer than nine points and Holton would get a huge home win 49-35

Sabetha (15-2) suffered their first loss in the last ten games and really missed having Junior Melinna Schumann on the floor who was out with a wrist injury. The LadyJays will now need help down the stretch to try and catch Nemaha Central for a Big 7 league title as they are now two games back with three games to go. Leah Renyer finished a fantastic night off the bench with 17 points. Sabetha will next be in action next Tuesday as they will host Perry Lecompton on the Sabetha Channel.

Holton (9-7) ended their two game losing streak with a much needed win. With 4A sub state placements not announced yet, every game will help determine where the LadyCats end up traveling. Holton will next be in action next Tuesday at Hiawatha on the Holton Channel.

SCORING

Sabetha – L. Renyer 17, M. Hughes 8, P. Michael 5, M. Schuette 3, E. Krebs 2

Holton – S. Tanking 25, D. Hickman 9, F. Haussler 6, T. Moore 5, M. Patch 4

BOYS- As it was in the girls game for Holton, Sabetha got off to a scorching start led by Senior Gabe Garber. Garber torched the net with 13 first quarter points including three triples to grab an early 18-8 lead heading into the second stanza. Holton would use the quarter timeout to really get things going offensively as they came out firing in the second quarter led by Freshman Matthew Lierz and Senior Eli Prine each hitting a pair of triples, while Junior Kale Purcell would also chip in six. Sabetha would also continue shooting well from the field, this time enter Senior Braden Argabright who ended the first half with nine points and the Bluejays clung to a 31-29 halftime lead. Holton would never have a lead in the game, but would tie the game one time in the second half at 31-31. Sabetha then would close the third quarter on a 13-6 run to take a seven point lead heading into the final quarter. Sabetha's consistent shooting continued into the fourth and Holton just could not stop the dynamic duo of Argabright and Garber as Sabetha would coast in the fourth to a 59-43 victory.

Sabetha (10-7) has now extended their winning streak to six games and is 8-1 in their last nine game. The Bluejays are looking like a team that is peaking at the right time as we get closer to post season tournaments. Sabetha continues to ride the hot shooting of Gabe Garber who poured in 28 points on the night to lead all scorers. They will next be in action on Tuesday at home against Perry Lecompton on the Sabetha Channel

Holton (4-12) has now lost five of their last six games and just like the girls are fighting every week to ensure they will have a spot in the class 4A sub state tournaments. The way 4A is set up, the bottom two teams will be eliminated from any sub state tournament. Holton currently two games ahead of both bottom teams in the West with 4 games to go. Holton will try and right the ship Tuesday at Hiawatha on the Holton Channel.

SCORING

Sabetha – G. Garber 28, B. Argabright 17, K. Grimm 8, K. Evans 4, D. Funk 2

Holton – Ka. Purcell 18, M. Lierz 9, E. Prine 6, C. Karn 4, R. Holaday 3, Kee. Purcell 3