GOODLAND - For the second straight year and the fourth time in the last five seasons the TMP-Marian boys have qualified for the 3A state tournament after they hold off MCL rival Norton Saturday 47-39 to claim the Goodland sub-state championship.
After taking an early 2-0 lead TMP (19-4) found themselves down 8-4 in a low scoring first half. Bryce Seib hit a 3-pointer that put TMP up 9-8 and helped to spark a 12-4 run to end the first half giving TMP a 16-12 lead at halftime.
TMP led by five twice to start the second half but Norton (14-8) was able to chip away at the lead and tied the game at 19. That was one of three different ties down the stretch in the third quarter, including a 27-27 tie at the end of the third quarter.
Kenton Ginther hit his first of two fourth quarter 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter that briefly put TMP up 30-27.
Norton was able to tie the game again at 32-32 with 5:22 to play in the game. But Ginther drained his second 3-pointer of the game on the ensuing possession with 5:05 left to play in the game putting TMP up 35-32 and they never trailed the rest of the way.
Kade Harris got a steal and layup on the next Norton possession putting TMP up 37-32.
Those two field goals sparked a 15-7 run over the final five minutes and five seconds of the game as the Monarchs secured the 47-39 victory.
TMP’s Dylan Werth led all scorers with 12 points and Gavin Unrein added 10 points for the Monarchs.
The Monarchs will either be the six of seven seed in next week’s 3A state tournament at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.