LIBERAL FIRST
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This season was the first for the basketball shot clock in Kansas high school basketball, and when it is needed the most, it won’t be used.
At the beginning of the season it was determined that the shot clock would be used in Classes 5A and 6A and it would be optional for all classes below.
Some chose to use it. Some didn’t.
Brooks Kappelmann pitched a no-hitter gem Friday to open a three-win weekend for the Saints over Otero.
Kappelmann tossed all seven innings in Game 1 and only allowed two walks while striking out 14 and allowing no runs and no hits.
Nathan Hopkins led the Saints at the plate with two hits including a double and an RBI.
The Saints completed the sweep with a 15-5 win in Game 2.
The Lady Saints dug a hole early against the defending national champion hutchinson Blue Dragons before battling their way all the way back, but late turnovers allowed Hutchinson to escape the Greenhouse with a 58-50 win.
Seward was ice cold from the field in the first few minutes, and Hutchinson took advantage by building a 14-1 lead.
But the Lady Saints finished strong in the period with an 8-0 run and trailed 14-9 after the first quarter.
The Lady Saints played even with the Lady Blue Dragons in the second quarter, but a pair of late baskets allowed Hutch to take a 26-20 halftime lead.
The Redskins created some excitement in The Big House Thursday when they had a five-point lead over Dodge City after three quarters. But the excitement turned into disappointment when Liberal couldn’t keep the lead and fell 70-61.
The Redskins started slow and trailed the Red Demons20-9 after the first quarter, but they battled back to cut the lead to seven by half.
Liberal tied the game 33-33 midway through the third. By the end of the quarter Liberal had a 50-45 lead.
But turnovers and rushed shots allowed Dodge City to pull ahead, and the Redskins couldn’t rally in the 70-61 loss.
The second quarter will be quickly forgotten after Thursday night’s 56-23 blowout win over Dodge City.
Liberal dominated against the struggling Lady Red Demons, but neither team had much lick in the second quarter. Liberal outscored Dodge 4-2 in the second and had a 22-10 lead at half.
But the Lady Redskins found their stride in the third quarter and began to pout in the points, and a 12-point lead at half quickly became a 20-plus lead. By the end of the quarter the lead had ballooned to 32 points, 51-19.
