BUFFALO – The Altoona-Midway High School varsity basketball teams each claimed silver medals after combining to post an impressive 4-0 record over the final two rounds of the Captain Milburn G. Apt Memorial Tournament that wrapped up here Thursday and Friday at Milo Peterson Gymnasium.
On Thursday, AMHS claimed a pair of victories over Southern Coffey County, with the boys winning 42-31 and the girls rolling to a 34-14 victory.
Friday afternoon, the host squads continued their winning ways, this time against Chetopa. The AMHS boys won 51-30 and the girls ripped the Lady Hornets 39-10 for their second consecutive dominating performance.
Both Altoona-Midway squads earned second-place finishes for their efforts in the weeklong tournament, but left them with thoughts of “what if” from the opening round. Both AMHS units dropped nail-biting decisions to Liberty Homeschool Alliance in Tuesday’s lid-lifters.
In those games, Liberty scored with 12 seconds remaining to squeeze out a 45-44 triumph in the boys’ contest, while the Lady Arrows survived a pair of threepoint attempts in the final 10 seconds to escape with a 31-28 win over the Lady Jets.
As a result, LHA claimed the championship of both divisions of the Apt Tournament. Altoona-Midway secured two runner-up trophies, while the SCC boys and the Chetopa girls nabbed third-place finishes.
Weather permitting, Altoona-Midway is scheduled to cap off a five-game homestand on Tuesday when they host Northeast High School of Arma. Jet squads also have a road date planned Friday, Jan, 30, at Yates Center.
AMHS BOYS vs. SCC
Kage Beck poured in a career-high 28 points to lead Altoona-Midway to a 42-31 victory over Southern Coffey County on Thursday.
In a game of surges, the Jets jumped to a 13-2 lead after one period, only to see SCC rally to within one, 19-18, at halftime. AMHS regained control and led 33-22 entering the final period, which was basically even.
“It was a game of swings. We came out on fire, but (SCC) turned it around in the second quarter,” said Altoona-Midway coach Dave Vance. “It was a tough fought game and very physical.
“SCC is a tough, well-coached team. It took everything we had to pull out the victory.”
Beck logged an amazing 10 steals, many of which resulted in fast-break layups. Beck was 11-of-13 from two-point range, and added a trey and three free throws.
“Kage bailed us out with all of those steals and scoring on a majority of them,” Vance noted.
Taj Chism hit a pair of three-pointers and went 4-for-4 from the charity stripe – all in the fourth quarter – to join Beck in double figures with 10.
Chance Carter and Chance Mustain tallied two points apiece to round out the Jet offense.
“Taj hit a couple three’s and was perfect from the line to help seal the victory,” Vance noted. “Carter led us in assists (4) by hitting the cutter going to the basket numerous times.”
Cy Nickel fired in 15 points for the Titans.
AMHS BOYS vs. Chetopa The Jets closed out the Apt Memorial Tournament in fine fashion on Friday, posting a convincing 51-30 win over the Chetopa Hornets.
AMHS benefitted from a well-rounded offensive attack, as three Jets finished in double figures. Chance Carter led the way with 15 points, while Kage Beck and Taj Chism followed with 13 and 11 points, respectively.
“We had well-balanced scoring, rebounding and assists,” Vance said. “It was nice to see the ball moving around and playing as a team. We actually had more assists than turnovers once again, and that is a good trend.”
Chance Mustain just missed joining his trio of teammates in double digits, finishing the night with eight points. The Jets also got two points apiece from Kenny Smith and Caden Sicka.
Chism claimed a team-high 10 rebounds, while Carter hauled down eight while Mustain, Beck and Sicka grabbed six each and Nolan Lampe five.
“All the players suited up got to play tonight, and we had some well-deserved minutes for some guys that do not get in all of the time,” Vance said.
Carter led Chetopa with 10 points.
AMHS GIRLS vs. SCC
Jasa Pankaskie fired in 17 points, including 10 in the opening two periods, to lead the Altoona-Midway Lady Jets to a convincing 34-14 win over Southern Coffey County on Thursday.
AMHS led from start to finish, jumping out 11-0 after one quarter and 20-7 at intermission. In was 26-9 after three periods and the Lady Jets closed things out with an 8-5 advantage in the final stanza.
“The girls played well and everyone scored,” exclaimed AMHS coach Jessica Porter. “I’m thrilled with the improvement we continue to show.”
Ava Tindle – usually a defensive and rebounding specialist – continued her newly-unleashed offensive surge, finding the range for eight points to nearly join Pankaskie in double-digits. Tindle had a career-high nine points in the first-round game against Liberty.
Four other Lady Jets also found the scoring column. Keyleigh Clines chipped in three points, while Destiny Raymond, Peyton Drake and Brooklynn Collins netted two points apiece for the winners.
Garretson scored 12 of the 14 points for the Lady Titans.
AMHS GIRLS vs. Chetopa Jasa Pankaskie and Brooklynn Collins combined for 25 points as the Altoona-Midway Lady Jets claimed the runner-up spot of the Apt Tournament with a 39-10 trashing of Chetopa before the home crowd on Friday afternoon.
Pankaskie finished with 13 points, including a pair of threepoint baskets, while Collins chipped in an even dozen on six two-pointers.
“Jasa was outstanding the entire tournament – scoring in double figures all three games,” said Porter. “Brooklynn was on fire from right around the free throw line. It was fun to see.”
For the second game in a row, the Lady Jets blanked their opponent over the opening eight minutes of action. AMHS led 13-0 at the quarter, 22-7 at halftime, and 34-7 after three periods.
“We played with a lot more energy. It’s really nice to get off to those fast starts,” Porter said. “The girls really played well.”
Ava Tindle capped off an impressive three-game stint with another eight points, giving her 25 points over the three-game tournament. Keyleigh Clines, Destiny Raymond and Peyton Drake each added buckets for the Lady Jets.
“All six girls who suited up scored again – that’s the second game in a row,” Porter added. “I just love that.”
