Warriors Top Blue Knights, Fall to Hyannis

Leyton's Warrior Basketball team was matched against the South Platte Blue Knights in the semi-finals of the D2-11 Subdistrict tournament in Ogallala on February 26.

Leyton lost by 13 at South Platte early in the season, but the team's fortunes had changed through the season, with South Platte notching just six wins while Leyton improved throughout the campaign and won nine games.

The teams were evenly matched and Leyton led by two after a low-scoring first quarter. Both teams kept pace throughout the second quarter, and at the half Leyton had built a four point lead, 22-to-18.

As the second half progressed, Leyton built their lead to 10 early in the fourth quarter when South Platte started to score and their defense pressured the Warrior's offense, cutting into the Leyton lead until the Blue Knights trailed by only one point. But the Warriors were able to hang on when freshman Justin Ernest sank two free throws and the Blue Knights couldn't find the hoop with their shots in the closing moments. The Warriors escaped with a 48-to-45 victory and headed to the finals against the Hyannis Longhorns. Junior Zach Henke led the scoring with 13 points.

Leyton's season would end against the Longhorn's fast break offense, as Hyannis scored 15 points before Leyton could respond with any points of their own.

Hyannis continued to score while the Warriors finally got their offense on track, but Leyton was never able to close the gap and the Longhorns cruised to an easy 69-to-48 win. The loss ended the Warrior's season with a 10-and-12 record.