Teams split at Sunflower Shootout

SMITH CENTER, KS (March 16)—In a couple of wild scoring affairs at the 3^rd Annual Sunflower Shootout in Smith Center on Saturday, March 16, the North Central Kansas girls won 103-77 while the Mid-Continent League boys held on to win 96-92.

NCK girls team

            In the girls game, the North Central Kansas girls jumped out to a 55-38 halftime lead and went on to win 103-77 behind the one-two punch of Brittany Kirchhoff of Thunder Ridge and Hanover’s Claire Bruna, who scored 22 and 21 points respectively.  Kora Bergstrom of Pike Valley and Devin Nutsch of Republic County also scored in double figures with 12 and 10 points.  Hoxie’s Danel Stithem chipped in 9 points, Angela Ritter of Golden Plains 8, LaShae Hedstrom of Republic County 7, Washington County’s Samantha L’Ecuyer 6, Danica Casey of Natoma 4 and Megan Stegman of Washington County 3. 

Coaches were Scott Romeiser of Washington County and Ryan Doebele of Hanover.

            “I appreciate LaShae coming on late to play,” said Recreation Director Mike Hughes.  “Erin Schroeder of St. John’s Beloit/Tipton was slated to play but had to withdraw late due to an injury and LaShae filled her spot.”

            Smith Center’s Sydney Benoit led the MCL scorers and all scorers with 28 points.  Norton’s Tawny Griffey chipped in 15 and Trenna Cox of Smith Center 11.  Also scoring were Alexis Ryan of Smith Center with 8, Plainville’s Shelbe Pywell 6, Hannah Friend of Plainville and Hill City’s Shelby Stewart 3 points apiece, Bailey Hensley of Ellis 2 and Trego’s Bailee Fritts 1.  McKenzie Cooper of Hill City did not score.

            Perry Mick of Ellis and Osborne’s Brad Roadhouse were the coaches.

            “Three records were set in the girl’s game,” Hughes stated.  “The 101 points scored by a team, 178 points scored between the two teams, and Benoit’s 28 points were all records.”

            The MCL boys held off the North Central Kansas boys to snap a two game losing steak 96-92. 

The MCL squad led 49-31 at halftime, but the North Central Kansas boys outscored the MCL 61 to 47 to get close at the end.  Norton’s Jacob Brooks led the MCL attack with 15 points, while Tyler Walters of Ellis and Stockton’s Koby Beougher added 13 points apiece.  Trego’s John Griffith and Seth Derr of Phillipsburg scored 9 points each, Hill City’s Solomon Wilson and Luke Lohrmeyer of Ellis 8 points apiece, Phillipsburg’s Sean Newlan and Payton Buckmaster of Smith Center 7 each, and Nolan Weiser of Plainville 6.

Coaches were Keith Sides of Phillipsburg and Trego’s Lance Ziegler.

            Trenton Kuhlman of Republic County led the NCK boys with 19 points, while Wyatt Flinn of Rock Hills scored 13, Colby’s Todd Kane 11, and Chase Wilkens of Washington County and Palco’s Seth Armbrister 10 points apiece.  Also scoring were Quinton Isaacson of Pike Valley 9, Tyler Bruggeman of Decatur Community 6, Trevor Lowe of Thunder Ridge 5, Cade Huncovsky of Pike Valley 4 and Natoma’s Phillip Murphy 3.

            Their coaches were Kurt Grafel of Natoma and Palco’s Chris Drees.

            “The 96 points scored by the MCL was a record, as was the 188 total points scored,” said Hughes.

            Winners of the 3-point contests were Danica Casey and Koby Beougher.

            “These were a great group of kids and represented their schools and communities well,” Hughes stated.  “We appreciate them giving up their time to participate, as well as the coaches.  And to all the fans that turned out to support these athletes.”

            “We want to thank USD 237 for use of their facilities, the Smith Center Chamber of Commerce for their support, the SonShine Church for the concession stand, the Smith County Kiwanis Club and Smith Center Rotary Club for taking tickets, to the SCTV crew for filming the game for the DVDs that go to the athletes, the Smith County Bank for providing the noon meal, and the SCHS IHT class for doing our programs,” Hughes added.  “Also to all the volunteers that give of their time to pull this event off as we couldn’t do it without them.”

            The Sunflower Shootout was sponsored by the Smith Center Recreation Commission.