MULVANE, Kan. – The Buhler girls found repeated success around the rim in Monday night’s 57-39 road win at Mulvane. The Crusaders shot 68% from inside the three-point line and outrebounded the Wildcats, 31-18.
“Getting a lead and holding the lead shows the maturity of this team,” Head Coach John Darrow said. “There were so many good things to see out there.”
Mulvane lacked an answer for Buhler’s interior duo of Natalya Krafels and Sammie Brooks. Krafels poured in a game-high 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Brooks went seven of eight from the field and scored a season-high 14 points.
“I love the efficiency that we scored with tonight,” Darrow said.
The win keeps Buhler unbeaten in AVCTL III play. The Crusaders can clinch a league title with a victory on Friday at Circle. It would be their first since 2015.
SCORING
Natalya Krafels: 22 points
Sammie Brooks: 14 points
Gracie Oard: 10 points
Charley Baxter: 5 points
Nyah Sewell: 4 points
Tori Tustian: 1 point
Jenna Lackey: 1 point
BOYS
It was not until late in the fourth quarter that the Buhler boys were finally able to gain control of Monday’s league matchup at Mulvane. Clutch free throw shooting secured a 62-57 win in the game’s final minutes.
“I thought in the second half, it was a lot better for us,” Head Coach Eric Tate said. “We got to the rim and got to the free throw line.”
Buhler finished the game 19 of 27 from the free throw line, including 11 makes on 13 attempts in the fourth quarter.
Jacob Miller had a productive night despite being plagued by foul trouble. He led all scorers with 17 points. Asher Zachary finished with a career-best nine points. He also grabbed seven rebounds and made good on all seven of his free throw attempts.
“We had a lot of guys go in there and battle,” Tate said.
The win put a stop to a three-game losing streak for the Crusaders who sweep the season series against the Wildcats.
SCORING
Jacob Miller: 17 points
Isaiah Heredia: 14 points
Jared Miller: 11 points
Asher Zachary: 9 points
Luke Holmberg: 4 points
Mitchel McDaniel: 3 points
Julian Morrison: 2 points
McCade Zachary: 2 points
