By John Mesh
The Buhler varsity boys basketball defeated Nickerson 49-45 in overtime Friday night at the Nickerson High School gymnasium.
Nickerson led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter and 25-18 at halftime.
Buhler outscored Nickerson 17-5 in the third quarter to take a 35-30 lead. The score was tied 41-41 at the end of the fourth quarter.
Junior Jared Miller led the Buhler boys with 19 points. McCade Zachary added 10. Julian Morrison and Mitchel McDaniel each scored 6.
The Crusaders overcame 26% field goal shooting (including 5-of-25 on 3-pointers). Buhler forced 26 turnovers while just committing 10.
Nickerson won the overall rebound battle 35-32 but Buhler led on the offensive glass 17-5. Buhler made 14-of-22 free throws.
Garrett Crossman led the Nickerson Panthers with 15 points. Alex King added 11.
The Crusader boys host Goddard Tuesday and Hutchinson next Friday. Nickerson plays in the Gene Keady Classic Monday through Friday at Larned High School.
The Buhler junior varsity boys defeated Nickerson 44-27 and the Buhler freshman boys team defeated Nickerson 47-18.
Buhler girls 69, Nickerson 17
The Buhler varsity girls basketball team defeated Nickerson 69-17 in their season opener Friday night at the Nickerson High School gymnasium.
The Crusaders led Nickerson 20-9 after one quarter, 45-12 at halftime and 58-17 at the end of the third quarter. Buhler outscored the Panthers 11-0 in the fourth quarter.
The Crusader girls host Goddard Tuesday and Hutchinson next Friday.
Nickerson plays in the Gene Keady Classic Monday through Friday at Larned High School.
The Crusader junior varsity girls defeated Nickerson 27-2 (in two quarters).
The Buhler Crusader girls C team defeated Circle 43-25.
Haven boys, girls sweep Hutchinson Trinity
The Haven High School boys and girls basketball team swept Hutchinson Trinity Catholic High School Friday night at the Haven gymnasium.
The Haven varsity boys team defeated the Celtic boys 65-27. The Wildcats led 20-18 at the end of the first quarter, 42-17 at halftime and 59-20 at the end of the third quarter.
Nash Wray led the Wildcats with 17 points (all in the first half) and Dalton Bontrager added 14.
Max Ryan led the Celtics with 8 points. Aaron Gust scored 6 for Trinity.
The Haven girls defeated Hutchinson Trinity 60-25. The Wildcats led the Celtics 37-16 at halftime.
Sienna DeFrain led the Wildcats with 24 points. Avery Brawner scored 19 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished off for 4 assists.
Vernon, Dreiling, Warner, Hanen, Farney are finalists for Sports in Kansas honors
Current Hutchinson High School football coach Mike Vernon and St. Thomas Aquinas coach Randy Dreiling (former Hutchinson coach) are finalists in Class 5A for the Sports in Kansas 2024 Coach of the Year.
Buhler coach Steve Warner is a Class 4A finalist for 2024 Coach of the Year. Dreiling and Warner are the Nos. 1 and 2 active winningest football coaches in Kansas.
Buhler senior linebacker Will Hanen is a 4A finalist for Sports in Kansas 2024 Defensive Player of the Year.
Sterling High School junior running back Zane Farney is a 2A finalist for SIK’s 2024 Offensive Player of the Year.