ELLIS-The second night of 2A sub-state finals at Ellis started with the 4 seed Hill City Ringnecks taking on the the number 1 seed Hoxie Indians. Hoxie had won the only regular season meeting between the two 52-33.
The Indians inside game was dominant early as they led 15-9 after one quarter. Harlan Obioha had 8 of the teams 15 points.
The Ringknecks fought valiantly in the second quarter. They used a 6-0 run and a timely 3 by Dalen Journigan to tie things 20-20 with 2 minutes left in the half. That is how score would stay heading into the break.
Hoxie struck first blood in the second half. They used a 10-2 run to take and 8 point lead. However, Hill City trimmed the lead to 4. A 7-0 run by Hoxie extended the lead to 43-32 heading into the final act.
The Indians used a 3-point barrage and timely free throws to close out the Ringnecks 64-48.
Junior Harlan Obioha finished with an impressive stat line of 23 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists. Senior Parker Jones added 11 points and 6 rebounds.
Sophomore Derek Kieth led the way for Hill City with 12 points. Dalen Journigan and Kyle Richmier both had 9 points.
Hill City finishes the season 13-9. They say goodbye to 3 fantastic seniors.
Hoxie is on to tomorrow's championship game with a trip to Manhattan on the line. The are 20-2 on the season.
The second game of the evening featured the 3 seed Plainville Cardinals and the 2 seed Ellis Railers.
Plainville jumped out to a 13-6 lead, taking the home fans by surprise. However, Ellis went on a 10-2 to run to take a 16-15 heading into quarter number two.
It was a back-and-forth affair in quarter number two. Plainville led by as much as 5, but Ellis would not be denied, tying the game at 26 by the half. Ellis junior Brady Frickey had 17 of his teams 26 points at the half.
Plainville came out of the half on fire scoring the first 7 points. They would maintain that lead to the tune of 46-39 heading into the final quarter.
Plainville held the lead for all of the fourth quarter. Ellis made several pushes, but in the end the Cardinals were just too much, holding on for a 66-52 victory.
Senior Jared Casey flirted with a triple-double with 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Anders Dewey added 13 points for the Cardinals.
Brady Frickey went off for Ellis, scoring 25 points. Junior Daniel Eck chipped in 14 points and 6 boards.
Ellis finishes the season 15-6. It is also the end of Senior Zachary Eck's illustrious career.
Plainville will face off against Hoxie tomorrow for the sub-state championship and the right to go to state in Manhattan.
You can hear that game on 101.9 the Bull. The boys will tip right after the Oakley Lady Plainsmen and the Trego Golden Eagles play for the sub-state championship on the girls side. All the action starts with pregame at 5:45 on 101.9 the Bull.