In a conference showdown between two metro heavyweights, the 6th ranked Hornets of North Kansas City fell to the 5th ranked Tigers of Lee's Summit 52-48.
These teams met first at the William Jewell Holiday Classic, where the Hornets handed Lee's Summit the lone blemish on their now 16-1 record. The Tigers came in hungry to avenge the errors of the previous contest.
At first it felt like a blowout was waiting to happen, as the Tigers torched the nets to the tune of the opening 13 points of the ballgame. Metro Sports KC Player of the Week Alex Benassi continued to have the hot hand, cashing in on all three levels.
However, just as quick as the lead was built, it was torn down by the Hornets fast break attack. Dallas Whitney converted back to back plays in transition, and began to exploit a true big man shortage for the Tigers. The Hornets' run took them through the first quarter with a 13-8 deficit.
In the second, the Hornets firmly stole the momentum for the remainder of the half, Alex Gunnels got hot from the midrange, and Avian Webb continued to impress with parking-lot jumpers careening through the net. The 13-0 Tiger run turned into a 27-9 Hornet run, and the first half ended with a 27-22 Hornet lead.
Coming out of half, the Tigers had a renewed sense of urgency, and that, as well as some help from the home crowd, began to bring them back into the ball game. Webb, Gunnels and Whitney continued to turn steals into baskets, however, the Tigers got hot from behind the arc, and cut the lead to 3 at the end of the third.
The fourth was a rollercoaster, as many Hornet basketball games are. Benassi got to the rim and gave the Tigers their first lead, 42-41 almost halfway through the final frame. And thus, the back and forth began. Brycen Larue, Gunnels, Whitney and Benassi traded baskets to a 48-46 Tiger lead with 3 minutes to play.
Just one basket was scored until the final minute, where it stood 48-48 until an Alex Benassi drive and finish planted the dagger in the Hornets. Gunnels turned it over, and the Hornets were unable to convert the last shot, as Webb's floater came up long. Larue added two more, and in such, the Hornets fell.
With the loss, the Hornets odds for a conference title diminish, as they sit at 1-2 in conference (13-4), with losses to Staley and Lee's Summit. To win, they would need a perfect conference finish (don't be surprised if it happens).
The Tigers improved to 16-1, and sit in second, behind Staley in the conference standings.
The Hornets take the floor Tuesday against another conference foe, in the St. Joe Central Indians (3-15), at home. Come catch the action, as well as the Girls Basketball Invitational, this week in the Hive!
