Senior Jayce Smith got past the Tonganoxie defense for a layup. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
The Bonner Springs Braves came back from an 11-point deficit to tie the visiting Tonganoxie Chieftains with less than a minute remaining, but the Braves couldn’t come up with final basket they needed, losing 61-58.
The Chieftains took a 19-11 lead in the first quarter thanks to hot shooting from Tonganoxie’s Zane Novotney, who hit three 3-point shots in the quarter.
Jayce Smith helped pull the Braves back in the second quarter, getting 4 points from the field and 4 more at the line. Jayon Noel hit a 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the half to pull the Braves within 1, 29-28.
The Chieftains started hot in the second half, scoring the first 9 points. Braves’ head coach Dan Streit called a timeout to settle his team, which responded with a run of fast breaks to get back within 40-36, but by the end of the quarter, Tonganoxie had pulled back out to a 51-42 lead.
The Braves’ defensive pressure held Novotney scoreless in the fourth quarter, and they fouled strategically to slow the clock. On the offensive end, Smith and Jayden Young got key baskets to narrow the gap. With 40 seconds on the clock, Smith hit a 3-point shot that tied the game at 55 and sent the home crowd wild.
A defensive stop on the next possession gave the Braves a chance to take the lead, but a ball-handling turnover handed the ball back to the Chieftains, who hit all 8 of their free throw chances in the quarter to seal the win.
Smith led the scoring for the Braves with 22 points, including two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Kalen Streit added 13, keeping the Braves in the game early with 7 first-quarter points.
Bonner Springs drops to 8-6 for the season. Their next game will be against the 9-2 Eudora Cardinals on Monday in Bonner Springs, starting at 7 p.m.
Nancy Hurst Landers received a card and flowers after her induction into the BSHS Hall of Fame. Landers, a member of the Bonner Springs class of 1966, was recognized for her community involvement and service to the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Education Foundation. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel) Guy Tiner addressed the crowd during his induction into the BSHS Hall of Fame during a halftime ceremony. A member of the class of 1969, and owner of Tiner Construction, Tiner credited his time at Bonner Springs High School for giving him the skills to succeed in his business endeavors and to give back to the community. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel) Sophomore Kalen Streit got out on a fast break for a layup. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel) The Bonner Springs cheerleaders performed stunts during a break in the game. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel) Junior Tavian Cruse took a short baseline jump shot over Tonganoxie senior Cuyler Kietzmann. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel) Junior Cameron Doss weaved his way through the Tonganoxie defense. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel) Sophomore Kalen Streit went up for a short-range shot in the lane. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel) Senior Trent Stimac fought through a pick on defense. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)
