John Champe opened the second quarter with an 11-0 run to blow open a close game on Monday night and defeat Independence, 58-22.
It was only 9-8 Champe after one period, but the visitors scored 22 points in the second quarter to take a commanding lead. Ten players scored for the Knights on the evening as they used their depth and defensive pressure to overwhelm the host Tigers.
Champe (6-9) was led by senior forward Haile Yi and junior forward Jordyn Wilson, as each scored 10 points. Yi buried two three-pointers while Wilson impressed protecting the paint on defense and getting to the line on offense. The two starters had plenty of help in the team victory, as coach Warner Dyke’s team had 18 total assists and 24 points from the bench.
Dyke, who has decades of varsity coaching experience but is in his first year at Champe, was pleased with the team effort.
“I think we’re headed in the right direction,” said Dyke, who said he’s looking to change the culture at Champe. “The kids are really starting to do a much better job on the defensive end, which has been a real key to us playing better.”
That defense frustrated and forced numerous turnovers from young Independence, which remains winless on the season. The Tigers have no seniors on the roster but got a good perfomance from junior Cameron Shackford, who had nine points, five boards, and two assists. Despite the loss, Independence coach Katie Wimmer was also fairly pleased with her team’s effort and progress.
“It’s baby steps, none of these girls have played together before,” Wimmer said. “They’re learning each other, they’re learning themselves, obviously we’re pretty young. We’re emphasizing fundamentals and just growing as a team. It’s up-and-down but I’m pretty happy with them.”
–Chris Jollay
all stats are unofficial
| JOHN CHAMPE | FG | FT | TP | REB | AST | |
| FAVIS | 0-3 | 0-0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| MOORE | 2-14 | 1-4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | |
| YI | 4-10 | 0-0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | |
| GALINDO | 4-11 | 0-1 | 8 | 3 | 3 | |
| WILSON | 3-4 | 4-7 | 10 | 6 | 1 | |
| Armstrong | 2-4 | 0-0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Hoffman | 2-4 | 1-4 | 7 | 2 | 2 | |
| Pierce | 1-2 | 0-0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | |
| Taylor | 1-1 | 0-0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | |
| Kotadiya | 2-5 | 2-2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | |
| Kolenbrander | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| Young-Diggs | 1-1 | 2-2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| TOTALS | 22-60 | 10-20 | 58 | 31 | 18 | |
| Threes: Hoffman 2-2, Yi 2-5, Favis 0-2, Moore 0-3, Galindo 0-4 | ||||||
| INDEPENDENCE | FG | FT | TP | REB | AST | |
| GRIMES | 0-3 | 0-0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| GOUKOYE | 2-10 | 0-2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| SHACKFORD | 4-11 | 0-0 | 9 | 5 | 2 | |
| TIMMONS | 2-6 | 1-2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | |
| WOMACK | 0-2 | 0-2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | |
| Smith | 1-4 | 0-0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | |
| Gumaste | 1-3 | 0-0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |
| Patterson | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Cline | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| TOTALS | 10-41 | 1-6 | 22 | 35 | 5 | |
| Threes: Shackford 1-6, Goukoye 0-1 | ||||||