EL DORADO, Kan. – The Buhler boys gritted out a 64-56-win Friday Night in El Dorado, trailing just three times and scoring three players in double-figures.
Grant Ricker helped Buhler build as large as a nine-point lead in the second quarter. Ricker finished the first half with 14 of his game-high 19 points.
In the second half, it was Jeffrey Neill’s turn to deliver. Neill scored 14 of his career-best 17 points in the final eight minutes as the Crusaders stretched the lead to 10.
The free throw line was a huge factor, with the two teams combing to shoot 56 free throws. Buhler finished 17 of 28 at the stripe, including 11 of 15 late to seal the victory.
Dederick Willard-Trass contributed 12 points, also a career-high.
Buhler girls 46, El Dorado 27 – It took a while for the Buhler offense to find its stride Friday Night. El Dorado used a zone defense to control the tempo in the first half and manage a slim one-point lead, 20-19, at halftime.
The second half told a different tale as the Crusaders turned solid defense into offense, outscoring the Wildcats, 27-7. Charlie Baxter knocked down a pair of huge second-half threes and finished with a game-high 11 points.
Natalya Krafels added 10 points, going 8 of 8 from the free throw line. She also hauled in an impressive 15 rebounds.
