By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post Sports
PLAINVILLE – The TMP-Marian Monarchs had to wait an extra week to try and claim their first Mid-Continent League tournament title since 2023 because of the snowstorm last Saturday and in the end they were able to secure the victory over Plainville 57-46.
The Monarchs (10-5) opened Saturday’s game with three straight free throws from Will Eck, sparking a 14-4 run to open the game, before they took a 14-6 lead into quarter number two.
Plainville (8-6) closed within six to open the second quarter and were within five when TMP put together a little 9-2 run with Ty Schmeidler scoring five of the nine points, putting TMP up 24-12.
The Cardinals were able to chip away at the TMP lead to close out the first half, thanks to an 11-3 run cutting the TMP lead to four at 27-23 at the break.
Eck’s first three pointer of the game opened the second half for TMP and Jacob Seib scored six straight putting TMP up 36-29. Grant Nehls and Schmeidler combined to score the final eight points of the quarterto put TMP up 44-34 heading into the final quarter.
The Cardinals were able to close within four, in the fourth quarter, but TMP make six of their final nine free throws in the final minutes of the quarter on their way to a 57-46 victory.
It’s the six MCL tournament title for the Monarchs.
Jacob Seib and Grant Nehls led all scorers with 14 points each. Nehls finished with 9 rebounds. Ty Schmeidler chipped in 12 points.
TMP will take on Trego Community in WaKeeney on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day the Hoxie Lady Indians clinched their second MCL tournament title in three years with a 56-48 win over Oakley.