Hoisington and Larned Boys, Larned Girls Advance in Keady Classic

In a thrilling day of basketball at the Keady Classic, the Hoisington boys and Larned girls clinched their spots in the finals, showcasing impressive performances in their respective semifinal games. Hoisington defeated Larned 53-43, while Larned edged past Bucklin 45-43 in the girls’ bracket.

Hoisington’s victory was fueled by a late surge from Brody Pfannenstiel, who scored six crucial points in the final minutes, leading his team to a decisive 10-0 scoring run. Mason Martin, Hoisington’s leading scorer, contributed significantly with 20 points, including a pivotal three-pointer that helped secure the win. Despite a strong effort from Larned’s Kylier Greene, who scored 16 points, the Indians could not keep pace with Hoisington’s late-game momentum.

The game unfolded with Hoisington taking an early lead. The team ended the first quarter ahead at 22-13 and maintained their advantage through the second quarter, leading 34-25 at halftime. Larned struggled offensively, scoring only seven points in the third quarter. Despite a resilient effort in the fourth quarter, Larned fell short, ending the game at 53-43.

In another semifinal, Holcomb decisively defeated St. John 84-52. Holcomb dominated the second and third quarters, outscoring St. John 62-26 during that stretch. Brody Deniston led Holcomb with 18 points, while Emmett Delp of St. John matched that output with his own 18 points. St. John struggled to maintain its early momentum, dropping to 17 points in the first quarter but failing to keep pace as Holcomb pulled away.

On the girls’ side, Larned emerged victorious in a nail-biting overtime match against Bucklin, winning 45-43. Jadyn Crosby was the standout performer, scoring 21 points to lead her team. Bucklin’s Emmerson Kirk had a strong outing, contributing 16 points but it was not enough to clinch the win.

Holcomb’s girls also advanced, defeating St. John 43-31. Holcomb’s Jaylee Wickwar shone brightly with a remarkable performance, scoring 27 points, including ten points in the fourth quarter alone. St. John’s Jalyn Fisher managed to score 12 points, but Holcomb’s defense effectively stifled St. John’s leading scorers.

With both Hoisington and Larned’s boys and Larned’s girls moving forward, the upcoming finals promise to deliver more high-stakes excitement. The Keady Classic continues to highlight the talent and competitive spirit of high school basketball in the region. The finals will take place on March 18, 2024, with teams vying for the championship title in both boys’ and girls’ divisions.