Leyton splits on road with Sedgwick County

JULESBURG, Colo. — Poor free-throw shooting down the stretch almost proved costly Tuesday night for Leyton High School’s boys’ basketball team, but an offensive rebound by Brennen Cruise was enough for the Warriors to survive a 56-55 decision at Sedgwick County, Colo.

“It came down a tough finish,” LHS coach Gary Oltmann said. “We didn’t play well nor did we shoot well.”

Leyton (14-1) held a 56-49 lead late before the Cougars — around missed foul shots by the Warriors — knocked down two consecutive 3-pointers to cut the lead to one point.

LHS was fouled one last time with 1.6 seconds showing, but couldn’t convert.

However, Cruise was able to snag the carom, and Leyton held on.

“Sedgwick played outstanding defense,” Oltmann said. “We just didn’t do a lot of things very well, and I guess you just have those games, where you’re lucky to escape with a win. Sedgwick is young, and at one point, they had four freshmen on the court.”

Leyton stumbled to an eight-point deficit after a quarter, 15-7, but used a 25-point second quarter to take a 32-28 lead late in the first half .

Sedgwick’s Chase Dunker beat the buzzer with a half-court, 3-point basket that made it 32-31 at intermission.

Junior Dylan Brenner got things going in the second half for Leyton, who led 47-42 at the end of the third quarter. Sophomore reserve Cody McKay scored a season-high 14 points in the post on a night when Cruise (seven points) struggled from the floor.

Leyton struggled down the stretch with its foul shooting.

“We made just 4 of 11 at the foul line in the fourth quarter,” Oltmann said. “You do that, and a lot of teams are going to cut into the lead. We shot 22 of 65 from the floor, which is barely better than 33 percent.”

Brenner led the way for Leyton with 17 points, McKay and Sam Schumacher putting in 14 each.

Tyler Woodhems scored 20 points and Dunker added 13 for Sedgwick (5-9).

LEYTON GIRLS FALL SHORT

Rol Rushman’s Leyton girls just couldn’t get the offense going in a 36-32 loss to Sedgwick.

The Warriors (9-7) trailed 8-3 after one period, 17-14 at halftime and 26-23 after three periods.

Averaging 38 boards a game, Leyton managed just 25 rebounds on the road Tuesday.

“We had a real poor rebounding night,” Rushman said. “Sedgwick outhustled us on the boards.”

Kaitlyn Berner bettered her scoring average, putting in a team-high 10 points. Tessa Lukesh added nine and Rachael Ernest eight.

Both squads will hit the road again Friday night for a trip to Creek Valley’s Thunder Dome in Chappel.

Boys game

Leyton 56, Sedgwick County (Colo.) 55

Leyton 7 25 15 9—56

Sedgwick 15 16 11 13—55

Leyton (56): AWFrerichs 1 0-0 2, Melzer 1 0-2 2, Schumacher 6 1-5 14, Brenner 6 3-6 17, Cruise 3 0-0 7, McKay 5 4-4 14. Totals 22 8-16 56

Sedgwick (5-9): Stortenbecker 1 0-0 2, Hackbart 3 0-0 8, Lanckreit 4 1-2 9, McKinley 1 0-0 3, Woodhams 9 0-1 20, Dunker 6 0-1 13. Totals 24 1-4 55

3-point goals — Leyton 4 (Brenner 2, Cruise, Schumacher). Sedgwick 6 (Lanckreit 2, Hackbart 2, Dunker). Team fouls — Leyton 12, Sedgwick 16.

Girls game

Sedgwick County (Colo.) 36, Leyton 32

Leyton 3 11 9 9—32

Sedgwick 8 9 9 10—36

Leyton (9-7): Berner 4 2-5 10, R.Ernest 4 0-0 8, Lukesh 4 0-1 9, K.Waite 1 1-3 3, Houk 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 3-9 32

3-point goal — Lukesh.

SPECIAL TO THE SUN-TELEGRAPH

Sidney High School’s boys’ and girls’ bowling teams will be moving on to the Nebraska High School Bowling Federation finals after strong finishes in last weekend’s Class C4 District, held at Doyle’s Cedar Lanes in Sidney.

Ogallala, Chase County and SHS participated in the tournaments. The top two team scores in both girls and boys divisions earned the right to advance to the state finals Feb. 9 in Lincoln.

The tournament is conducted by the NHSBF, as bowling has not yet been sanctioned by the Nebraska Schools Activities Association.

Sidney’s girls won their tournament, bettering runnerup Chase County. Team members are Mylisa Pennington, Madeline Mead. Kayla Burt, Nateesha Holtz and Kylie Ellwanger.

The SHS boys team finished second behind Ogallala. Raiders team members are Chance Harmon, Alex Maestes, Tyler Miller, Spencer Ellwanger, Michael Sukup and Kordell Maestes.

Head coach of both squads is Sean Doyle. Doyle is assisted on the girls’ squad by Jeff Ellwanger and Jondon Sukup.

Class C teams will compete at 7:30 a.m. at Sun Valley Bowl in Lincoln.