DERBY, Kan. – McPherson High School Basketball traveled to Derby on Tuesday, Dec. 9, for an AVCTL cross-divisional matchup, but Derby defeated the Bullpup Girls and Boys.
The Bullpup Girls fell to Derby, the reigning 6A Runners-Up, 85-31, falling McPherson to 1-3 on the season and improving Derby to 3-1.
Derby used their speed, athleticism, size, and offensive prowess to push past McPherson defensively. The Panthers hit 35 total shots, with seven of which came from behind the three-point line, led by future Elon Phoenix player Macayla Askew, who had a team-high 20 points.
On the flip side, McPherson’s younger core of the roster had key possessions on offense and defense, led by 12 points from junior Piper Alvord and eight points by sophomore Amarie Lowery.
SCORING:
McPherson: 11 8 10 2 = 31
Derby: 28 34 18 5 = 85
McPherson: Alvord – 12 pts. (4 FG, 2 3PT, 2/2 FT); Lowery – 8 pts. (2 FG, 1 3PT, 3/4 FT); Doile – 6 pts. (2 FG, 2/2 FT); Alexander – 2 pts. (0 FG, 2/4 FT); A. Sandbo – 2 pts. (1 FG); Cooper – 1 pt. (0 FG, 1/4 FT); Team – 31 pts. (9 FG, 3 3PT, 10/16 FT)
Derby: Askew – 20 pts. (8 FG, 4/7 FT); Fox – 18 pts. (8 FG, 1 3PT, 1/1 FT); Carter – 15 pts. (6 FG, 1 3PT, 2/2 FT); Harris – 12 pts. (5 FG, 2 3PT); Clingan – 9 pts. (4 FG, 1 3PT); Graham – 6 pts. (2 FG, 2 3PT); Dinsmore – 4 pts. (2 FG); Carruthers – 1 pt. (1/2 FT); Team – 85 pts. (35 FG, 7 3PT, 6/14 FT)
The McPherson Boys group was short-handed ahead of their matchup against Derby, which returned multiple starters from last season’s State Tournament team.
Derby struck within seconds in their season opener, using pressure defense, perimeter shooting, and their size to push past McPherson. The Bullpups fought back in the third quarter after trailing by 23, but Derby’s offensive firepower helped run them away with the 79-49 win.
The Panthers made 10 three-point shots and were led by 6’9″ senior Cale Clingan with 19 points. It was a key day for McPherson senior KJ Harrison, who scored a career-high 13 points in his first career start.
The Bullpup loss falls them to 2-2 on the season, while Derby improves to 1-0.
SCORING:
McPherson: 14 9 17 9 = 49
Derby: 20 25 23 11 = 79
McPherson: Harrison – 13 pts. (6 FG, 1/2 FT); Reasoner – 10 pts. (5 FG, 0/2 FT); Ingels – 7 pts. (3 FG, 1 3PT); Malm – 6 pts. (2 FG, 2 3PT); Becker – 6 pts. (3 FG); Cooper – 4 pts. (0 FG, 4/4 FT); Buchman – 3 pts. (1 FT, 1 3PT); Team – 49 pts. (20 FG, 4 3PT, 5/8 FT)
Derby: Clingan – 19 pts. (8 FG, 2 3PT, 1/2 FT); Riley – 18 pts. (6 FG, 4 3PT, 2/2 FT); Stiger – 10 pts. (4 FG, 2 3PT); Marshall – 8 pts. (3 FG, 2/4 FT); Snider – 6 pts. (3 FG); Johnson – 5 pts. (2 FG, 1/2 FT); Chadwick – 3 pts. (1 FG, 1 3PT); Lu-Chantivong – 3 pts. (1 FG, 1 3PT); Crockett – 2 pts. (1 FG); Pontious – 2 pts. (1 FG); Team – 79 pts. (30 FG, 10 3PT, 6/10 FT)
The Bullpups will travel to face the Andover Trojans on Friday, Dec. 12. The girls will tip off at 6:00 p.m. and the boys will follow up at around 7:30 p.m.
