Leyton Splits Recent Action

Leyton’s varsity basketball teams won on the road, then lost at home in recent action versus Minatare and Sedgwick County.

The boys were looking to return after a disappointing showing in the MAC (Minuteman Activities Conference) Tournament earlier in the month, and the girls squad was also trying to regain momentum after their loss in the consolation round of the MAC Tournament.

On Jan. 26, the Lady Warriors started the night with an impressive first half against the Minatare Lady Indians, outscoring the home team 26-10 on a defensive effort combined with sophomore Madelyn Watchorn dominating offensively. This lead proved to be the key as Minatare came out of the half on fire, and outscored the Lady Warriors 21-14 in the third period, and then played the visitors to an 11-11 tie in the fourth quarter. The strength of the first half was able to ensure the victory for Leyton with a final score of 51-42. Madelyn Watchorn scored an impressive 31 points in the win.

For the boys, Leyton knew that they were in for a battle with the Indians, and were down by six at the end of the first quarter. But the Warriors battled back and kept the score close at halftime, only down 23-21starting the third quarter. It was the third period that proved to be the difference, with the Warriors scoring 11 while smothering the Indians defensively, holding them to only three points in the period.

A furious fourth quarter followed, with both teams matching the others scoring, ending the quarter with Leyton scoring 20 points to Minatare’s 21 points. The third quarter turned out to be the difference in the game, and Leyton emerged the victor with a final score of 52-47. Layton sophomore Drew Haley led the Warriors scoring effort with 19 points.

On Jan. 30, Leyton hosted Sedgwick County in a non-conference matchup. Although both Leyton teams lost, the games were polar opposites with the Lady Warriors mounting a furious comeback that fell short, while the Warriors never mounted a threat against the visitors.

The Lady Warriors opened up the action against the Lady Cougars, and midway through he first period were up 8-2 against the visitors, and seemed to be in a position to take control of the game. But Sedgwick battled back, keeping the score close by ending the first quarter down 14-10. In the second, the Lady Warriors were able to add onto their lead, but their shooting went cold, and Sedgwick was able to gain ground as the half wore down, eventually taking the lead and going into the intermission leading 23-22.

The second half was a tight battle, with Segwick adding to their lead by the end of the third quarter, but Leyton battled back, tightening the score to 44-42 falling just short of winning the game.

The boys teams squared off next facing a powerful Sedgwick team (13-2, 4-1 in league) that proved to be too great of a challenge for the home team to handle. The Cougars started fast with a 9-0 run, a entering halftime, the Warriors were down 22-7. The Cougars came out on top with a final score of 43-9.