CHETOPA – The Altoona-Midway High School basketball teams definitely started the new year off on the right foot here Tuesday night, sweeping the Chetopa Hornets in a Three Rivers League doubleheader.
Altoona-Midway registered a 56-42 win in the boys’ contest, while the Lady Jets posted a 47-20 triumph in the preliminary matchup.
Both AMHS teams will look to make it two in a row on Friday when Southern Coffey County invades Milo Peterson Gym for another varsity twinbill.
AMHS BOYS
Tied 24-24 at halftime, Altoona-Midway (2-7, 1-2) exploded for 23 points in the third period and posted a 56-42 victory over Chetopa.
Senior Kage Beck led the AMHS surge after intermission, pouring in 14 points in the third quarter, including a 6-of-8 performance from the free throw line. The Jets also got six points from Chance Carter and three from Chance Mustain during the surge.
“It was a knock-down, dragout night,” said AMHS head coach Dave Vance. “We won the first and third quarters, but we lost the second and fourth quarters.
But thankfully, we won that third-quarter by a 15-point margin, with the final score being a 14-point advantage.”
Beck had an outstanding game, finishing with 27 points. Carter fired in 16 points and hauled down 14 rebounds, while Mustain and Taj Chism chipped in six points apiece.
“Kage Beck had the best game of his career. In addition to his 27 points, he had 10 steals to give him a double-double,” said Vance. “Carter did the same with a season-high 16 points and 14 boards.
“Mustain and Taj helped us with good defense, leadership and rebounding, and freshman Caden Sicka supplied a lot of positive energy while getting his first start (filling in for Nolan Lampe, who was out due to illness).
Jackson Lawellin paced Chetopa (0-7) with 14 points, while Harrison Carter and Gabe Robinson chipped in nine and eight, respectively.
AMHS GIRLS
The Lady Jets (2-7, 1-2) revealed an offensive production far exceeding anything exhibited previously this season as they rolled to a 47-20 triumph in the girls’ game.
Prior to Christmas break, the AMHS girls’ highest output had been 28 points, and they were averaging just 14 points per game. But they definitely were on fire Tuesday against the Hornets.
Altoona-Midway led from start to finish, building leads of 15-7 at the quarter, 23-12 at halftime, and 34-18 after three quarters, before finishing things off with a 13-2 advantage in the final period.
“It was really great to see all seven girls get to score. I was really happy for them,” said AMHS head coach Jessica Porter. “The girls played hard and had a lot of fun last night.”
Jasa Pankaskie led the Lady Jets’ offensive explosion with a 13-point performance, while Mika Parsons got AMHS off to a fast start, scoring all eight of her points in the opening period.
Brooklynn Collins and Peyton Drake were next in line for Altoona-Midway’s balanced attack, firing in seven points apiece. The Lady Jets also got six points from Destiny Raymond, four from Ava Tindle, and two from Keyleigh Clines.
“We still have a lot of things to work on, but it’s evident by our play that the girls have shown quite a bit of improvement,” Porter said. “I hope we continue to move forward in that direction.”
Kaylea Caton led Chetopa (0-7) with nine points. Jovilee Beeman chipped in three points, while four other Lady Hornets tallied two points apiece.
