WAMGEO — Winning their fifth straight game for the longest streak of the year, the number-four-ranked Concordia boys basketball team defeated Marysville and Wamego in a pair of NCKL battles.
Versus Wamego, the Panthers won 68-61.
The Panthers had a great start to the game, taking a 9-3 lead less than 90 seconds into the game. After Wamego tied the game at 11, they eventually took a 15-13 lead and the fight for the lead went in Wamego’s favor, with a jumper to end the quarter they led 17-16 after one quarter.
The second quarter saw the same back-and-forth action, with both offenses exchanging baskets and not letting the opposing team create separation. A Chane Parker layup made it a 28-27 Wamego lead halfway through the quarter, but after even more back-and-forth it would be Isaias Irigoyen hitting a pair of free throws to put the Panthers up 34-33 entering the locker room.
Where the first half saw an offensive battle, the third quarter would be a defensive one. A layup put Wamego up 39-37 halfway through the quarter, and an Ayden Krier floater would tie the game at 41 with 3:04 to go. The score would remain tied at 41, with an Ian Loudermilk free throw with 49 seconds putting the Panthers up 42-41 entering the fourth quarter.
Concordia was able to create separation in the fourth quarter, opening with a 8-0 run to expand the lead to 50-41. Wamego would claw back and make it a 51-48 Panther lead, but a Grayson Farha three broke the run and gave the Panthers a critical six point cushion. After the Panthers pushed the lead to double digits, 60-50, Wamego was able to chip a bit off the lead, but Concordia’s work at the line was able to seal the game away, with the Panthers picking up their fifth straight win for the longest streak of the season.
Loudermilk led in scoring with 18 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Krier had 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Parker had 12 points, five rebounds, four steals and four blocks.
Versus Marysville, the Panthers won 67-51.
The Bulldogs were the first to strike, hitting a three to take the early lead, but a 9-2 Panther spurt put Concordia in the lead, with another Bulldog three breaking the run, as Concordia led 9-8 just past the halfway point of the opening quarter. Both teams would exchange jabs, with a late three by Marysville making it just a 16-14 Concordia lead after one quarter.
Things remained tight in the second quarter, with both offenses exchanging baskets fighting for the lead. An Ayden Krier layup gave the Panthers a seven-point lead on a 10-3 spurt, but the offensive showdown wouldn’t slow down as Marysville would do their best to keep in the game and got the lead down to four, 35-31. Three quick Panther points put them up 38-31 entering halftime.
A 6-2 Bulldog opening made it a three-point game early in the third quarter, but a subsequent 8-0 Panther run pushed the lead up to double digits, 48-37. Concordia’s offense took full control of the game, closing on a 10-5 run to lead 58-42 entering the fourth.
The Panthers would be able to take advantage of the lead, as the defense would keep Marysville from being able to cut into the lead as the offense scored just enough to match the Bulldogs 9-9, and the Panthers picked up their fourth straight win.
Chane Parker led in scoring with 21 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block.
Krier had 15 points, nine rebounds and a steal.
Isaias Irigoyen and Kale Schroeder each had nine points.
