By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post Sports
HAYS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs used a 17-6 second-half run to pull away from the Smith Center Redmen Friday night at Al Billinger Fieldhouse in the first round of sub-state, 60-46.
The Monarchs (18-5 & 10-0) and the Redmen went back and forth in the opening quarter, with three lead changes and a pair of ties. TMP built a 13-10 first-quarter lead.
It was more of the same in the second quarter, with three more ties and seven different lead changes as the Monarchs built a one-point lead at halftime, 28-27.
Grant Nehls and Ty Schmeidler combined to score all 15 points for the Monarch in the second quarter
After halftime, Smith Center retook the lead on two separate occasions, but each time the Monarchs answered with a key basket of their own.
The last time TMP was trailing 31-30, Will Eck connected on his second three-pointer of the game, putting TMP up 33-31, a lead they never relinquished on their way to the double-digit victory.
During the stretch, the final six minutes of the third quarter, Eck, Schmeidler and Grant Nehls combined to score 17 points and put TMP up 47-37 at the end of the fourth quarter.
In the final quarter, Smith Center wasn’t able to close within 10, early in the quarter, but never got closer as the Monarchs secured the 60-46 win.
Ty Schmeidler finished with a game-high 20 points. Grant Nehls added 17 points and five rebounds. Will Eck added a season high 15 points. TMP will host Plainville in the second round of the 2A Smith Center No. 2 at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
Plainville defeated Ellinwood in the first round of sub-state, 61-45.