CHS boys' season ends in McPherson
MCPHERSON — The Concordia High School Panthers’ reward for advancing to the championship game of the Class 4A sub-state tournament was a matchup against the undefeated and number one ranked McPherson High School Bullpups on their home floor.
Concordia got past Rose Hill in overtime in the opening round game of sub-state, that it hosted.
That set up the showdown with McPherson.
The Bullpups used an 18-0 run in the first quarter to take control of the game and never allowed the Panthers to get back in it on their way to a 64-29 victory last Saturday night.
McPherson advanced to the 4A state tournament being played this week at the Tony’s Pizza Event Center in Salina.
Concordia finished up the season 13-9.
“We were just outmatched. They were the best high school team I have seen in a long time. There is no doubt they are the best team in 4A and one of the best teams in all classes,” Concordia coach Derek Holmes said of McPherson.
McPherson scored the first three points of the game.
Peyton Retter knocked down a three-point shot to pull Concordia even at 3-3 with 6:16 remaining in the first quarter.
The Panthers would then go more than four minutes without scoring.
McPherson got three-point shots by Gabe Pyle, Owen Pyle and Jett Pyle and turned Concordia turnovers into two layups and a dunk during the 18-0 surge that made it a 21-3 game.
“They were just too athletic and too quick for us. Their defensive pressure really hurt us,” Holmes said. “In practice we put six guys out there, but you can’t simulate their athleticism in practice. We had a great game plan and we knew what they were going to do, they were just too good.”
Payton Breese scored to halt the Concordia scoring drought.
Owen Pyle hit a jumper for McPherson.
Jonathan Turner scored inside and the Panthers trailed 23-7 heading into the second quarter.
A steal and a dunk by Kyden Thompson and a three-point shot by Cory Muehler in the first 1:06 of the second period upped the Bullpups’ lead to 28-7.
Joey Henderson made one of two free throws for Concordia.
Starting with another three by Muehler, McPherson scored the next six points and led 34-8.
“They shot almost 70 percent in the first half,” Holmes said.
McPherson would stretch its lead to 48-16 at halftime.
Concordia limited the Bullpups to three points in the first 3:32 of the second half and scored six points to make it 51-22.
McPherson led 60-27 going into the final eight minutes of play.
With a running clock, each team scored four points in the fourth quarter.
“I am proud of the kids. They fought and competed hard, we were just out-manned,” Holmes said.
Breese led Concordia with 10 points.
Turner finished with eight points and five rebounds.
Chane Parker grabbed six rebouds.
McPherson had four players scored in double figures led by Gabe Pyle with 16 points.
Muehler scored 14 points. Thompson scored 12 points and Owen Pyle added 11 points.
It was the final game for Holmes as head coach of the Panthers. He is retiring as principal of the Concordia Elementary School.
“A lot of great memories. I am going to miss the relationships with the players and the people you meet along the way. It was a great ride, but looking forward to spending a lot more time with the family and the next stage of life,” Holmes said.
CONCORDIA (29)
Henderson 1-2-1 4, Parker 1-0-0 2, Retter 1-0-3 3, Breese 4-0-2 10, Donovan 1-0-0 2, Turner 4-0-2 8. Totals: 12-2-8 29.
MCPHERSON (64)
O. Pyle 5-0-1 11, J. Pyle 2-0-1 5, Doile 1-0-0 2, Muehler 5-1-2 14, Thompson 4-4-1 12, Huggard 0-0-1 0, G. Pyle 7-0-1 16, Shriner 1-0-0 2, Razak 2-0-0 2. Totals: 25-7-8 64.