YATES CENTER — Yates Center High School’s boys and girls basketball teams got swept by Cherryvale in the first round of the Yates Center Mid-Season Classic on Tuesday. The girls lost 52-21, while the boys dropped the game late 49-45.
The girls got off to a rocky start and were unable to handle the athleticism of the Chargers early on. Yates Center was careless with the ball, allowing Cherryvale to drive down the court and dominate. When Yates Center did have the ball, they were unable to get open shots and the shots they did get, they couldn’t capitalize on.
Cherryvale looked to be the more physical team, dominating on the boards early and taking advantage of second-chance shots.
Cherryvale led 31-13 at the half.
The second half wasn’t much better for the Wildcats as their offensive struggles continued. Yates Center turned the ball over multiple times, allowing the Chargers to storm down the floor on the fast break, getting quick points. At times, it was like a revolving door on offense. Yates Center would carry the ball out, turn it over and then Cherryvale would score and repeat the cycle.
Cherryvale’s defense dominated and clamped down to allow the Wildcats to score only four points in the third, while the Chargers ran away with the game.
Grace Westerman led the way for the Wildcats with six points. Hannah Jones and Callyn Miller both had four. Morgan Collins had three. Krystina Hurst and Addison Solander both scored two.
Yates Center’s girls play Iola at 6:30 Thursday.
The boys game was the polar opposite. In what was probably the best game of the night, the two teams fought tooth and nail down the wire.
In the first half the teams traded the lead while their defenses warmed up.
Sean Hurst led Yates Center while Cherryvale’s Stetson Hemple-Schafer led the Chargers.
Toward the end of the half, Cherryvale was able to gain a slight advantage after a few Wildcat turnovers gave the Chargers extra possessions.
Cherryvale led 29-26 at the half.
In the fourth quarter, Yates Center pulled ahead only to be reeled back in by the Chargers. The game was tied at 40 two minutes in after a Sean Hurst jumper.
The turning point came soon after the tie was broken by Cherryvale when they went on a small run to take the lead. The Wildcats tried to once again pull the lead back but Schafer iced it for Cherryvale on the free throw line with five seconds left.
