ELLIS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs are headed to the state tournament for the fifth time in six years after a 57-36 win over the Hoxie Indians to claim the 2A Ellis sub-state championship.
The first quarter of Saturday’s sub-state championship game featured three ties to open the game before Hoxie took a 9-6 lead with just over 4:10 to play. That’s when TMP’s Dylan Werth scored six straight to end the quarter putting TMP up 14-11 at the end of the first quarter. A lead they never relinquished the rest of the way.
Werth scored all 14 of the Monarchs first quarter points in route to a career-high 33 points for the 6’8 senior.
Hoxie closed within one to open the second quarter but TMP’s Joey Mindrup hit his first of three pointers in the game to put TMP up 17-13.
Hoxie pulled back within a point but Mindrup hit a second straight three pointer sparking 20-5 run to end the third quarter and start the fourth helping the Monarchs extend their lead to 40-25 on Mindrup’s third three of the game.
The Monarchs controlled the fourth quarter down the stretch on their way to the 57-36 victory.
Werth scored a career-high 33 points and finished with 11 rebounds. Mindrup added nine points and Landon Rozean finished with eight points.
The Monarchs have won 20 straight and will head into the 2A state tournament in Manhattan with a record of 21-2.