Winter Sports Update: Week 9

Boys’ Basketball

The Lancer boys basketball team defeated Shawnee Mission Northwest 66-45 on Friday, Feb. 8. Senior Zach Schneider recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Vance Wentz was the leading scorer with 17 points, and also grabbed five rebounds and had two assists.

The team then traveled to Olathe East on Tuesday, Feb. 12  and take on the 10-6 Hawks (4-3 in Sunflower League play). The Lancers had a slow start, unable to get into a rhythm and gain momentum. The boys’ went into the locker room with a one point lead, the score 18-17.

In the second half the Lancers looked more like themselves, getting to the rim with senior Zach Schneider, who had 22 points, and hitting their long range shots.

The game ended with the Lancers on top, with a score of 53-34. East, ranked second in Kansas 6A, is now 15-1 overall and 10-0 in Sunflower League play.

Next, the Lancers will take on rival Shawnee Mission North (2-15) at the Indians’ gym on Friday, Feb. 15.

Girls’ Basketball

After a disappointing week of losses, the Lancer girls basketball team looks to regroup before finishing out the last three games of their season.

The team started the week out by playing the Olathe South Falcons on Tuesday, Feb. 5. The Falcons are a squad of veteran players who are ranked first in the 6A division of Kansas girls basketball. Ending the first half with a lead of one point, the Lancers looked like they were ready to upset the South, but several missed shots late in the second half left East with a loss of 33-36.

Fired up from the close game, the girls went on to play Shawnee Mission Northwest on Friday, Feb. 8. The Lancers were not able to repeat the aggressive playing style they displayed against Olathe South and fell victim to turnovers. Although they diminished the Cougars’ lead to 5 points several times in the second half, sloppy passes caused the Lancers to lose 49-61.

The Lancers played Olathe East on Tuesday, Feb. 12 and suffered a 34-42 loss. Despite playing a fairly even game, the team was unable to score consistently. Junior Erin McGinley led the team with 10 points but fouled out late in the game.

Next, the Lancers will host the Shawnee Mission North Indians on Thursday, Feb. 14.

Wrestling

Even without key wrestler Michael Aldrich, East placed 3rd at the Sunflower League this past weekend, missing second by just one point. Grant Hollingsworth, Chipper Jorns and Jack Mitchell all placed first in their weight classes. Sophomore Barrett Cooper and John Reuter both placed third in their classes.

“We were top three, so that’s good,” Coach Ufford said. “After graduating a lot of guys last year who were good wrestlers, our guys lead this tournament in pins.”

The East team had the most pins in the tournament in addition to placing top three. They were beaten out by first place Olathe North and second place Leavenworth.

The team is continuing to amp up their conditioning in preparation for their next meet, which is Regionals this Saturday at Lawrence Free State. The meet will decide who qualifies for the KSHAA State Tournament.

Boys’ Swimming

Last Monday was the so-called ‘consideration Monday’ for boys’ swim across the area. KSHAA posted the heat sheet for state, which let the swimmers that only got consideration cuts whether or not they made state finals in Topeka next weekend.

Four varsity members have been added to the state roster as of today: Patrick Hornung in the 100 free, Mitch Kerr in the 200 IM, Tom Peters in the 100 breast, and Andrew McKittrick made it in the 500 free.

“It is so nerve-racking because they always say they’ll post the list at three in the afternoon, but they never do,” senior David Martinez said. “So all the guys have to swim and wait till six when we get out of practice to find out if they’re in.”

Bowling

Last week was a busy week for the Lancer bowlers with three meets on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Monday was the furthest meet, in Topeka. Topeka West hosted the first meet at West Ridge Lanes where the Lancer boys’ and girls’ varsity teams both took second place.

Tuesday, the Lancer’s meet was at College Lanes, which was the last home meet for East and Senior Night for the team. The boys’ and girls’ varsity squads both took third place to Olathe East and Shawnee Mission North, who are two of the better teams in the area.

On Wednesday East bowled at a meet at College Lanes which was hosted by Shawnee Mission Northwest. The boys’ and girls’ varsity both placed third behind SM Northwest and Olathe South.

Tonight the Lancers had the District meet against all of the Shawnee Mission Schools. The boys’ team took fourth place and the girls’ placed third.