By Grant Barrett Ad Astra Radio
MULVANE, Kan. – The Bullpup Basketball teams were able to conclude the regular season undefeated against their AVCTL Div. III opponents on Thursday, as they traveled to take on the Mulvane Wildcats.
McPherson Girls 55 Mulvane 25
Mulvane would go toe-to-toe with the Bullpups in the first quarter, even taking a 12-10 lead, before McPherson would claim a 14-12 lead, when Madi Moors came up with a steal that led to an Ava Romero layup as time expired in the opening period.
“We had worked with Mulvane’s staff just to recognize one of their senior players, and so it’s different to start off a game that way,” explained Assistant Coach Katelyn Loecker, as the teams alternated baskets to begin the game, Loecker added, “I’m glad we were able to do that, but obviously it throws a little bit of a curveball with how you start the game, but once we got into a rhythm we were able to get going.”
McPherson would use that momentum from the end of the first quarter to dominate the second quarter, as Chloe Clevenger and Karter Alvord both had two three-pointers in the quarter. The Pups would outscore the Wildcats 20-3 in the second quarter, to take a 34-15 halftime lead.
Loecker said, “We have so many weapons, and that’s what makes this team fun, if someone’s not on, we’ve got other girls that can come in, and step up for us, and so a lot of girls are improving, it was really cool even in our JV game, just a lot of girls hitting shots and just playing ball.”
Jordan Sears led a dominating third period, on her way to a 20-point night, and McPherson was able to take a 51-23 lead into the fourth quarter, eventually putting the game into a running clock on their way to a 55-25 win.
Coach Loecker concluded by saying, “Our girls are excited, we’re ready for postseason, we’ve just been itching to get there.”
Scoring Summary
McLeod 8 pts
C. Clevenger 11
J. Sears 20 pts
A. Dukes 2 pts
Av. Romero 2 pts
Al. Romero 3 pts
R. Eilrich 4 pts
K. Alvord 5 pts
McPherson Boys 66 Mulvane 32
The Bullpup Boys were dominant from start to finish. Kreighton Kanitz nabbed three steals in the first two minutes, which led to quick baskets. Gabe Pyle knocked down three of the Bullpup four from beyond the arc in the first period to lead 16-3.
“I thought defensively we were dominant, early on we were first to the floor, and they’re (Mulvane) so big and physical, I thought we had two or three plays where we had three or four guys diving on the floor, and trying to make plays.”
In the second quarter, Kanitz and Cory Muehler joined the three point barrage, before Kyden Thompson joined in contributing three points the old-fashioned way.
McPherson would take a 38-14 lead into the locker room, and continued to bring the physicality to the Wildcats, diving at every opportunity for a loose ball. That transferred from the starters, to the final group that stepped foot on the court in the fourth quarter, as the Bullpups would go on to win 66-32.
“I really feel like we’re playing our best basketball right now, and now’s the time to do that.”
Coach Kinnamon discussed the teams that might expect to face on Tuesday, and said, “We can’t take anything lightly, it’s going to be awfully good to play at home.”
Scoring Summary
O. Pyle 4 pts
C. Muehler 12 pts
K. Thompsons 11 pts
Kr. Kanitz 7 pts
G. Pyle 11pts
M. Miller 9 pts
G. Wedel 2 pts
H. Boese 6 pts
I. Razak 2 pts
J. Pyle 2 pts
The Bullpup Boys conclude the regular season 17-3, while the girls will head into sub-state 18-2.
They will await their opponent, which will be announced Saturday morning. Both McPherson records have ensured that they will host sub-state, which will begin on Tuesday, for the boys, and Wednesday for the girls.
The JV Boys would conclude the season defeating Mulvane 73-23, finishing the regular season 15-1 overall.
