CHETOPA — Crest High’s boys did just what they needed to survive and advance Thursday.
The Lancers withstood the hot shooting hand of Argonia’s Garrett Wells by scoring 19 in the fourth quarter to erase a second-half deficit.
Crest’s 49-45 victory in the Class 1A-II substate tournament sets up a rematch against top seed Chetopa, which handed the Lancers its most lop-sided defeat of the season nearly one month ago to the day.
“We have our work cut out for us, but we’re used to that,” Lancer head coach Travis Hermreck said.
In girls’ action, the Lady Lancers also advanced to their substate championship match, by edging host Chetopa, 42-40.
The win gives Crest a berth in tonight’s championship against top seed Argonia, which crushed Altoona-Midway, 79-15, in the other semifinal.
The girls tip off at 6 o’clock; the boys at about 7:30 in the Chetopa High School gymnasium
THE LANCER boys’ balanced attack proved too much down the stretch for Argonia to counter.
The Lancers trailed 34-30 after three periods, but received eight points from Hunter Frazell — on a pair of 3-pointers and two free throws — and six points from Brock Ellis. Landon Stephens added a key 3-pointer, and Austin Green hit a pair of free throws to help seal the win.
The game was nip and tuck from the start.
Wells scored eight of Argonia’s first 13 points as the Raiders jumped to a 13-10 lead. Crest closed the gap to 25-23 at half-time.
Six Lancer players scored between six and 12 points.
Ellis led the way with 12, followed by Frazell with 11. Green and Evan Godderz chipped in with seven each. Stephens and Taylor Davis both had six.
Wells scored 25 to lead Argonia, the only Raider in double figures.
Crest hit 4 of 8 free throws; Argonia 4 of 10. The Lancers hit seven from 3-point range.
Tonight’s substate championship game gives Crest an opportunity to avenge a 55-17 loss at the hands of Chetopa on Feb. 7.
The top-seeded Hornets bring a 16-4 record into tonight’s game. Crest is 10-11.
“We turned the ball over way too much,” Hermreck said. “But we survived and advanced. That’s the name of the game right now.”
Argonia (13-12-9-11—45)
Crest (10-13-7-19—49)
Argonia (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Wells 9/2-1-4-25, Koerner 0/1-1-4-4, Hemberger 1-0-1-2, Dolley 2-1-3-5, Tracy 0-0-1-0, Mages 1-0-2-2, Harsh 3-1-0-7. TOTALS: 16/3-4-15-45.
Crest (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Frazell 0/3-2-1-11, Green 1/1-2-3-7, Godderz 2/1-0-1-7, Stephens 0/2-0-0-6, Davis 3-0-0-6, Ellis 6-0-3-12, Ramsey 0-0-3-0. TOTALS: 12/7-4-11-49.
