BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
DODGE CITY — South Gray converted a trio of 3-pointers in the final minute of regulation and outlasted Central Plains 65-56 in overtime for third place in Saturday's 1A Division 1 state basketball tournament.
The Rebels were down 49-44 and the Oilers converted 5 of 6 free throws in the final minute of regulation. But South Gray's Dyson Winfrey and Gavin Wahl made uncontested 3-pointers before Gavin Wahl made a tying 3-pointer despite hustling defense by Oiler Aiden Hekele.
The Rebels' Gavin Wahl scored the first basket of overtime and South Gray converted 10 of 10 free throws for a 65-56 lead.
The game finished with a unique twist after Hekele committed a foul with 14 seconds left in overtime. South Gray's Zachary Hendrickson was assessed a flagrant foul and ejected for shoving Hekele to the ground. After a brief discussion, game officials Ricci Tucker, Marty Steinert and Wyatt Dautel waved off the final four free throws and allowed the Oilers to inbound the basketball.
Crites capped a superb sophomore season with 22 points. Hekele scored 15 points. Camden Stiles scored 11 points. The Oilers distributed 16 assists on 19 baskets. Crites dished out six assists
South Gray's Gavin Wahl scored 17 points and Moore added 14 points. The Rebels converted 19 of 19 free throws.
The intense battle featured 11 lead changes, eight in the first half. Central Plains took control with a 16-5 scoring burst for a 38-29 lead in the third quarter. Stiles, Crites and Hekele scored all 16 points. At that point, the Oilers had executed a near-perfect game plan guided by coach Michael Ryan.
But the Rebels responded with a quick 13-4 burst fueled by a trio of 3-pointers for a 42-42 tie.
Stiles converted a 3-pointer and Crites scored off a steal for a 49-44 lead. But the Rebels made their trio of 3-pointers for a 53-53 tie after four quarters.
Two-time state champion Central Plains (18-6) is 11-4 all-time at the state tournament. The Oilers lost 44-34 to eventual state champion Olpe in the 1A semifinals.
Central Plains 13 15 12 13 3— 56
South Gray 11 13 13 16 12 — 65
CENTRAL PLAINS (18-6) (FG 3 FT TP)—Crites 8-15 (2-5) 4-4 22, Stiles 5-11 (4-8) 0-0 14, Hekele 4-9 (2-4) 5-6 15, Siemsen 2-6 (0-1) 1-2 5, Peyton Dody 0-1 0-0 0, Daniels 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 19-43 (8-19) 10-12 56
SOUTH GRAY (20-5) (FG 3 FT TP)—Gavin Wahl 4-14 (2-6) 7-7 19, Moore (2-8) 8-8 14, Winfrey 2-3 4-4 10, Briscoe 5-8 0-0 10, Cameron Wahl 3-4 (2-2) 0-0 8, Totals 18-43 (10-25) 19-19 65
Rebounds—CP 22 (Siemsen 9); SG 26 (G. Wahl 7). Assists—CP 16 (Crites 6); SG 13 (Moore 7). Steals—CP 4 (Crites 4); SG 3 (C. Wahl 2). Flagrant foul—Z. Hendrickson
1A DIV. 1 BOYS 3-15—1ST—Olpe 47, South Central 34; 3RD—South Gray 65, Central Plains 56 (OT); SEMIFINALS—Olpe 44, Central Plains 34; South Central 64, South Gray 49; FIRST ROUND—Olpe 57, Little River 53; Central Plains 54, Frankfort 44 (OT); South Central 52, Clifton Clyde 38; South Gray 66, Quinter 47
OILERS STATE (11-4)
2025—Oilers 54, Frankfort 22; Olpe 44, Oilers 34; 3RD—South Gray 65, Oilers 56
2019—Oilers 55, Macksville 30; Oilers 59, Caldwell 41; 1ST—Oilers 40, St. John 28
2018—Oilers 58, Inman 42; Oilers 58, Salina Sacred Heart 36; 1ST—Oilers 47, Pittsburg Colgan 34
2015—Oilers 67, Jackson Heights 42; Oilers 69, Olpe 44; 1ST—St. John 49, Oilers 45
2016—Oilers 77, Lawrence Seabury 56; Salina Sacred Heart 62, Oilers 52; 3RD—Oilers 56, Hill City 25
CLAFLIN STATE (6-12)
2007—Olpe 60, Claflin 44
2006—Claflin 61, Lebo 54; Claflin 70, Brewster 55; 1ST—Macksville 55, Claflin 45
2000—Macksville 67, Claflin 64
1993—Frankfort 72, Claflin 64
1992—Pike Valley 67, Claflin 57
1986—Northern Valley 80, Claflin 55
1985—Highland 60, Claflin 56
1984—Pretty Prairie 59, Claflin 42
1983—Oswego 47, Claflin 45
1980—Garden Plain 79, Claflin 53
1977—Claflin 60, Hutchinson Trinity 58; Lebanon 60, Claflin 58; 3RD—Claflin 68, Mankato 50
1956—Claflin 62, Oswego 52; Claflin 56, Pretty Prairie 48; 1ST—Inman 67, Claflin 66
QUIVIRA HEIGHTS STATE (4-5)
1999—Lebo 69, Quivira Heights 47
1995—Brewster 64, Quivira Heights 67
1989—Spearville 88, Quivira Heights 60
1983—Quivira Heights 55, Inman 50; Thayer 64, Quivira Heights 43; 3RD—Quivira Heights 45, Brewster 40
1917—Bushton 28, Potter 6; Bushton 30, Macksville 8; 1ST—Winfield 23, Bushton 21
