By JONATHAN ZEWYGARDT
Hays Post
HAYS - The TMP-Marian boys' and girls' basketball teams earned two wins Thursday in the consolation semifinals of the Mid-Continent League tournament, securing a spot in the fifth-place games Saturday in WaKeeney.
GIRLS: TMP 36, Norton 29
The TMP Lady Monarchs (5-5) used an 11-3 run in the first half and then held off a late Norton rally as they beat the Lady Jays 36-29.
TMP rushed out to an early 6-2 lead thanks to four straight by Brooke Koenigsman. Only to see Norton score five straight for a 7-6 lead.
Claire Schippers was able to give the Monarchs the lead back, scoring four straight putting TMP up 10-7.
The Monarchs led 10-8 after the first quarter.
A Hannah Rose three-point play sparked an 11-3 run to close out the first half and open the third quarter as TMP took a 21-11 lead.
Norton closed within two in the fourth quarter, but the Monarchs secured the victory at the free-throw line, 36-29.
Brooke Koenigsman led all scorers with 10 points and added nine rebounds.
BOYS: TMP 56, Phillipsburg 45
The TMP-M (4-6) boys used a 21-2 run in the second half as they knocked off the Phillipsburg Panthers Thursday 56-45.
TMP scored the game's first six points, and Phillipsburg answered right back with six straight, tying the game at six. It was one of nine different lead changes in the first two before the Monarchs took control with the 21-2 run.
Grant Nehls scored eight points during the run, which was capped off by Will Eck's three-pointers, putting TMP up 45-30 early in the fourth quarter.
Phillipsburg threatened in the fourth quarter, trimming a 15-point TMP lead to seven with under four minutes left in the game, but TMP made their free throws down the stretch and secured a 56-45 victory.
Grant Nehls matched his career-high 18 points and added eight rebounds. Ty Schmeidler added 10 points.
The TMP girls will take on Russell in the fifth-place game at approximately 2:30 p.m.
The boys will play Oakley after the girl's game at the Trego Auxiliary Gym.