Sports

Wilson High School junior Garrett Theilen was named Dragon Player of the Game this past week by MaxPreps following his team’s participation in the annual Tescott Tournament. The Dragons won their first game against host Tescott, 50-34.

The Ellsworth Bearcats rolled a double seven this past week at the Amos Morris Classic basketball at Russell. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams ended the tournament in seventh place after a week of games that started Monday, Dec. 9, and ended with the championship game Saturday, Dec. 14.

The Central Plains Lady Oilers maintained their place at the top of 1A basketball this week following their championship performance at the Amos Morris Classic at Russell. The Kansas Basketball Coaches Association released its high school rankings for the week of Dec.

The Wilson Dragons kicked off their 2019-20 basketball season with a 39-34 non-conference win Friday night over Otis-Bison. Junior Garrett Theilen led Wilson with 13 point, followed closely by senior Westin Hughes with 12. Theilen also had three blocks.

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.

Central Plains senior Emily Ryan entered Friday’s season-opener in Hoisington as the No. 9 all-time leading scorer in Kansas. The future Iowa State Cyclone opened her final prep season with 44 points in less than three quarters of action.

The Bearcats acquired their first loss Friday against the Lyons Lions. The final score was 46-58. The ‘Cats fell behind during the first quarter with a score of 7-18 and stayed behind in the second with a score of 13-27.

The Lady Bearcats beat the Lady Lions, 42-38, Friday at Ellsworth in the first game of the season. As the first quarter started, Lyons grabbed the ball and were quick to score. The Lions led after the first quarter 11-9.

Two of the three Ellsworth wrestlers head coach Steve Thorburn took to the 3-2-1A State Tournament at Hays during the 2018-19 season will return this year. Both Tyler Walford and Morgan Kelley were state qualifiers. The two, along with Brendan Tripp, will be seniors and team captains.

The Lady Oilers have a lot to live up to going into the 2019-20 basketball season. They’re coming off a year when they posted a perfect 27-0 record and brought home a 1A state championship title.