High school sports tend to be cyclical. Rare is the team that can beat graduation and extend a dynasty past four years. Central Plains entered Friday’s season opener at Hoisington riding a 54-game win streak. But with little varsity experience back and a new head coach on the sideline, conditions were ripe for a loss. Hoisington took advantage, ending the streak with a 62-28 win.

“In the past years we could play them because we had a group of boys who had been playing together since they were in diapers,” said Oiler coach Ted Schmid.“They were quick, fast, and everything. Right now we have two boys with any varsity experience, and only one of them was on the floor.”

Still, the Oilers hung around early. Hoisington led 7-0 midway through the first before Ethan Hurley put the Central Plains on the board. Senior JJ Heredia added four points in the frame and the Oilers trailed just 13-6 after eight minutes of action.

Fouls started to add up. All five Central Plains starters had one foul at the 3:50 mark of the first quarter, and Hoisington entered the bonus with 34 seconds left to play in the opening stanza. The teams combined for 27 fouls in the first half, and Hoisington went 15-of-24 from the stripe while the Oilers struggled to a 4-of-11 showing. The result was a 29-12 Cardinal lead at the half.

“They had half their points (from the line) in the first half and they had almost half of them in the second half,” Schmid said.“Our thing, we’re trying to hurry instead of being quick, and we just throw the ball away. When we get in foul trouble and we have three starters sitting, I run in a freshman and a sophomore. I can’t harp on them because they’re doing the best they can.”

Hoisington began to pull away for good in the second half. Sophomore Bralen Thompson knocked down back-to-back threes for a 35-13 score, then Mason Haxton added a drive for a 37-13 lead. The Oilers were able to get into the bonus, and Heredia scored seven points in the quarter.

“They played hard and stayed after it,” said Schmid.“They didn’t show any quit. We have a lot of defensive things to work on but it’s our first game.”

The Cardinals eventually worked the game to a running clock. Hoisington junior Braden Mooney swished a 3-pointer with 2:03 remaining to push the lead to 60-28. The teams combined for just two more points down the stretch as Hoisington avenged some losses of the past.

Haxton led all players with 17 points for Hoisington. Avery Brewer added 10 points, and Mooney and Ryan Woydziak each added nine points. Heredia scored 16 of Central Plains’ 28 points. Jerred Bieberle and Tyler Holmes each scored three points, and Bieberle grabbed eight boards. Cole Lamatsch grabbed nine rebounds to go with his point, and Ethan Hurley and Dylan Kitchen each scored two points. Michael Menges added the other free throw for the Oilers.