Kingman Leader Courier
Welcome to the Kingman Leader-Courier, the only newspaper in Kingman and the official newspaper of Kingman County.
Scoreboard
Basketball
Varsity boys
Kingman 52
Lyons 56
Kingman 27
Pratt 73
Varsity girls
Kingman 51
Lyons 40
Kingman 17
Pratt 47
JV boys
Kingman 38
Lyons 43
Kingman 34
Pratt 56
JV girls
Kingman 35
Lyons 32
Kingman 41
Pratt 56
Freshman boys
Kingman 57
Lyons 32
Kingman 46
Pratt 47
Freshman girls
Kingman 23
Pratt 46
(no game with Lyons)
JV Boys
Tournament
Kingman 36
Nickerson 45
Nickerson 27
Andale 61
Kingman 13
Andale 50
Eagles hang tough
against Hesston
By Nancy D. Borst
The Kingman Eagles still have something to play for and they looked the part Tuesday night at home against Hesston.
Hesston led throughout and was up by 13 at halftime. But the Eagles got within 5 points in the third quarter and within 4 points in the fourth quarter. Both times Hesston put together a string of points to hold Kingman at arm's length. The final score was Hesston 67, Kingman 58.
"It would have taken nothing for our kids to say to heck with it in the second half," said Coach Steve Bangert. "I saw some things we can build on for Friday night."
The Eagles did a poor job defensively in the first half, Bangert noted. Hesston rained six three-pointers in the first two quarters of play. Still, Kingman's offense looked as good at times as it has all season.
"What I'm most proud of is our kids kept their composure. We put a scare into Hesston," he said.
Mikabe Erdman led Kingman with 15 points that included four three-point shots. Lyle Adelhardt finished with 14 points.
Lady Eagles 40, Hesston 54
The Lady Eagles stayed right with a good Hesston team Tuesday. With just over two and a half minutes to play in the first half, Kingman trailed by 1 point. But three straight Eagle turnovers led to 6 Hesston points. The Swathers added a three-pointer and a pair of free throws and turned a 14-13 advantage into a 25-13 halftime lead. Hesston won, 54-40.
Coach Justin Batt, who had two key players in foul trouble in the first half, said, "We looked so good (for) so long in the first half."
The Eagles were led by Katelynn Martine, who finished with 19 points and was the only Eagle in double figures.
The Leader-Courier staff
Connie Schoenhofer, Editor, Irene Arensdorf, Circulation; Bob McQuin Publisher , Nancy Borst Sports, writer, Ashlee Arensdorf, Advertising sales & Accounts Receivable.
Eagles suffer tough homecoming loss
KINGMAN'S BRAXTON Bangert (15) guards Carman Jeffery of Lyons during Friday's homecoming game. The Eagles lost, 56-52.
By Nancy D. Borst
The Kingman Eagles had plenty of motivation heading into Friday night's game with Lyons. First, it was Winter Homecoming. Second, both teams were 1-15. Somebody was going to get a victory.
When the final horn sounded, there was relief, hugs and high fives on the court. But Lyons' players and fans were the only ones celebrating their 56-52 victory.
Kingman senior Mikabe Erdman, who got a rebound as time expired, slapped the basketball and joined his disappointed teammates in a quiet exit.
"The first thing I told them tonight is we blew a golden opportunity," said Coach Steve Bangert, who saw his team's record drop to 1-16 with only three regular season games remaining (Kingman hosted Hesston Tuesday). "They were pretty disappointed in the locker room."
Kingman never dominated but led this one by as many as 6 points until early in the fourth quarter. The Eagles were up, 32-29, after a Lyle Adelhardt basket to open the quarter. But Lyons scored 4 unanswered points to slide ahead, 33-29.
The Eagles fought back and led by as many as 5 points until Lyons pulled even again with 3:46 to play. Lyons chose that moment to go on a scoring burst, with Ryan McClure hitting three quick baskets. Matthew Vincent added another and the Lions made four straight free throws to go ahead, 50-44, with 1:22 left.
Kingman didn't fold. Erdman hit two free throws and a basket to get his team within 2 points and Kingman called a timeout with 15.4 seconds left. When play resumed, Adelhardt fouled McClure, who made one of two shots (he finished with 21 points).
But the Eagles still had plenty of time to tie it up with a three-point basket. In a microcosm of their season, the Eagles instead looked confused about the play and Nick Meng missed a game-tying shot. Adelhardt fouled out, Lyons made another free throw and the game was over.
Bangert said his philosophy is not to call a timeout in that situation. His team was supposed to run the offense. If a two-point shot was open, take it to the basket. If the defense collapsed, kick it out for a three-point look. Regardless of how it ended, Bangert said the Eagles lost the game long before then.
"I thought we played as poorly as we could in the first quarter," he said. "We weathered the storm and were up at halftime. There was no flow to our offense in the third quarter."
Kingman was whistled for 25 fouls and had two players foul out. Lyons went to the free throw line 36 times and made 21 of those shots.
Kingman only got 17 free throw attempts and made 9 of them. Erdman led the Eagles with 16 points. Adelhardt scored 11 points.
As for positives, a lot of younger players are getting playing time. And Bangert said Erdman was doing a good job of distributing the ball to other players for shots.
Now the Eagles are playing for personal pride as much as anything else. They have a chance to avoid the substate basement but will have to win to do it.
"We've got to believe in one another because I guarantee we are the only ones believing we can win another ballgame," Bangert said.
Kingman hosted Hesston Tuesday night. Friday night is the final home game of the season and Senior Recognition Night.
It also is Senior Citizen Appreciation Night. All senior citizens will be admitted free and also receive a free meal and souvenirs. Contact KHS for more information.
Lady Eagles beat Lyons, pick up 7th win
By Nancy D. Borst
The relief was palpable Friday night after the Kingman Lady Eagles defeated Lyons, 51-40.
Kingman (7-10, 1-5) is not in the hunt for a league title but the Eagles are playing for a first round home game in substate play Feb. 28. Every victory is important because three teams have almost identical records and only one will get the coveted home game.
"I am happy for them," Coach Justin Batt said of his squad. "They have been taking it on the chin in the last couple of games."
Eagle Juli McGinnis took one on the chin literally during a physical ballgame against Lyons. She drove and split a pair of defenders midway through the fourth quarter and got popped hard. She went to the floor and after a few moments there, she had to leave the game. Sami Ybarra came in and shot her two free throws, making one. McGinnis did not return but was expected to play Tuesday against Hesston.
After McGinnis went down, one spectator commented loudly that the play might not have happened if the officials had taken control of the game earlier.
The Lions' physicality started inside with 6-2 freshman post Alexis Lasater. She ended up being a non-factor offensively, scoring only 2 points. She made her presence known primarily by fouling. The first whistle against her came in the second quarter. Her fourth and fifth fouls came back-to-back in the fourth quarter, the first on offense and the second for a push on an inbounds play. She remained on the court for more than a minute before finally leaving.
Two more Lyons players fouled out in the final minute of the game. The Lions also were called for an intentional foul in the fourth quarter. Katelynn Martine made both free throws on that foul and the Eagles got an extra possession.
"It's the same type of game you get from Sterling," Batt said of the physical play. "They push, shove, grab and hold. You've got to handle it."
Lyons led three times briefly in the game before Kingman built a 9-point lead early in the fourth quarter and never looked back. The Eagles made an effective adjustment after having trouble early with the Lyons' guards, who stole the ball four times in the first half.
Junior guard Katelynn Martine dominated. When she wasn't swishing three-pointers (she had four), she was driving and getting to the free throw line, where she was 10 for 14. She led all scorers with 22 points.
Freshman Sada Smith played her most varsity minutes yet. She forced tie-ups, shot the ball and got fouled. She did not make any field goals but was 7 for 8 from the free throw line.
"She played her butt off," Batt said of Smith, who is getting more minutes now that Kingman is without Konner Rogers, out with a broken wrist. "She plays hard and strong for a freshman."
Madison Bangert also scored 7 points for Kingman. Dani Molitor had 6 and Darrian Pickering had 5.
The victory keeps Kingman in the hunt for a number four substate seed. The Eagles are competing with Chaparral and Belle Plaine for that spot.
Kingman will host Hillsboro Friday night, the last regular season home game. They travel to Nickerson Tuesday. Substate seedings are to be announced Wednesday.
Athlete Of The Week
Tyler Garrison
This week's Leader-Courier Athlete of the Week honors a freshman boys' player. That player is Tyler Garrison, a 5-7 guard for the Eagles.
"Tyler is a very hard worker and a wonderful person," said Freshman Coach Brandon Davidson. "He also is very dependable and a great spot shooter."
He is the son of Mike and Mandi Garrison.