Top-ranked Horns dump Parsons in opening round
Wichita, KS (westernkansasnews.com)-
The Holcomb Longhorns had their athleticism matched and, at times, surpassed by the Parsons Vikings, but the Longhorn “D” contested almost every Viking shot and, in the end, Holcomb prevailed 59 – 44.
The Longhorns started quickly, leading 15 – 7 after one quarter and building a 28 – 11 lead midway through the second quarter. The Vikings stormed back, thanks a to a pressure defense that forced nine first-half turnovers and that led to nine points and at halftime, Holcomb led by 10, 30 – 20. Parson’s Elyjah Lyons scored nine of his team high 16 points in that 2nd quarter.
The Vikings kept the pressure up in the second half, trimming the lead to nine by the end of the third quarter, but the Longhorns finally starting handling the trapping defense and pulled away in the fourth quarter. For the game, Parsons scored 13 points off 17 Holcomb turnovers, while the Longhorns scored seven points off 10 Viking miscues.
Conner Van Cleave and Dalton Gottschalk each had a double-double for Holcomb, with Van Cleave tallying 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Gottschalk 15 and 11. Trey Sleep also had 15 points, as the Longhorns scored 32 points in the paint.
Holcomb improves to 22-1 on the year and moves on to the semi-finals, Friday afternoon at 4:45.
