The Chase County Lady Bulldogs and Lyndon Boy Tigers were both crowned Flint Hills League Champions Saturday night.
The Lady Bulldogs would capitalize off an explosive third quarter to top the Northern Heights Lady Wildcats 45-40 to claim the girl’s championship.
Northern Heights would manage to overcome an early Chase County lead in the first to take a 19-16 lead into the half. In the third quarter, Chase County would go on a five-minute 12-0 run and lead by as many as eight going into the fourth quarter.
The Lady Wildcats would come as close as two to tie the game in the fourth, but could never overtake the lead as the Lady Bulldogs would hold on and capture their second straight league title. Chase County was led in scoring by senior Laken Vandegrift with 13 points. Sophomore Kaylee Simpson ended the night with 11.
Vandegrift says they managed to turn up the defensive pressure late in the game.
After a slow start, Chase County Head Coach Ron Slaymaker says some efficient shooting from the free-throw line late in the game helped give his team the edge.
Northern Heights junior Caleigh Smart led all scorers with 15 points and senior Khylee Massey finished the night with 12.
The boy’s championship would also be decided by a dominating second-half performance from Lyndon as they toppled the Mission Valley Vikings 54-44.
Mission Valley would overcome an early Lyndon lead in the first to go up by five 27-22 at the half. In the third quarter, Lyndon would immediately tie the game and go on a three minute 12-2 run to establish a lead they would never relinquish en route to their championship win.
Lyndon Sophomore Darian Massey led the Tigers with 17-points. He says solid teamwork was the key to their run throughout the tournament.
Head Coach Mike Massey says he was proud of how his team dictated the pace throughout the second half.
In the third-place games:
*The Mission Valley girls outscored the Osage City girls 42-28
*The Northern Heights boys outscored Council Grove 64-57
Fifth Place:
* Council Grove girls defeated West Franklin 43-28
*Osage City boys defeated Chase County 51-50
Seventh Place:
*Lyndon girls defeated Central Heights 54-42
*Central Heights boys defeated West Franklin 67-47
