BUFFALO – All in all, it was a good tune-up for the postseason.
The Altoona-Midway Jets placed four players in double figures in scoring, had three reach double digits in rebounds, and pulled away in the second half for a 73-48 victory over the Chetopa Hornets here Friday afternoon at Milo Peterson Gymnasium.
The victory gives the Altoona-Midway boys an 11-9 record heading into postseason play. The Jets are now assured of back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2006 and 2007.
Unfortunately, the Lady Jets were unable to play either of their final two regular-season matchups against Uniontown and Tyro Christian School last week, losing both games to weather. The AMHS girls close out the regular season 6-11, still the most wins by a Lady Jet squad since 2009-10.
Both teams now prepare for Class 1A-Division II sub-state play.
Class 1A-DII Sub-State
The Lady Jets will hit the road Monday, Feb. 24, to begin sub-state action, traveling to face McPherson-Elyria Christian (11-9). Game time will be 7 p.m.
Should the Lady Jets advance, they would be pitted against top-seeded South Haven (18-1), which receives a first-round bye.
Meanwhile the AMHS boys earned a post-season home game. The Jets will host winless Burrton (0-15) in a firstround matchup on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Milo Peterson Gymnasium.
A win would advance the boys to a semifinal battle Monday, March 3, against the winner of the South Haven (11-8) and Southern Coffey County (0-18) contest.
AMHS vs. Chetopa
Altoona-Midway closed out the regular season with a 73-48 victory over Chetopa, but it was not quite as easy as the final score might indicate.
The Hornets actually led 16-11 after netting the opening bucket of the second period. But the Jets rattled off 12 unanswered points, 10 of them by William Stackhouse, to pull ahead 23-16 en route to a 35-30 halftime advantage.
Chetopa was still within striking distance at 41-35 midway in the third quarter, but AMHS went on another 11-2 run. The Jets pushed the advantage to 57-40 at the period, and then increased the margin in the final quarter.
“Basically, it was a lot of offense, not a whole lot of defense,” said AMHS head coach Dave Vance. “Once again we came out cold and not ready to play in the first quarter. We picked it in the second and third quarters and maintained in the fourth.
“Give Chetopa a lot of credit. They came ready to play and were knocking down shots like nobody’s business,” Vance added. “We couldn’t slow them down until the second half.”
Stackhouse poured in 28 points to pace the Jet attack, but three teammates also reached double figures. Kieran Foster finished with 15 points, while Kage Beck and Joey Lamendola tallied 10 apiece.
Rounding out the scoring for AMHS were Chance Mustain and Chance Carter with four points each and Taj Chism with two.
“It was nice to have four guys in double figures,” Vance noted. “But we’ve really got to pick up on our defense right from the start of the game if we expect to advance in postseason play. “We need better shot selection on the three-pointers, and we need to take care of the ball. We must cut our turnovers in half.”
Stackhouse and Beck each grabbed 10 rebounds as both recorded double-doubles for the victors. Mustain also pulled down 10 caroms to share teamhigh honors in that department.
Foster and Stackhouse each dished out four assists, and Stackhouse finished with six steals.
Lawrence Holt racked up 15 points to lead Chetopa, but managed just four points after intermission.
“The new season – postseason – starts next week,” exclaimed Vance. “Time to play ball.”
