Veritas girls 37, Derby Invasion 33

Junction City — Veritas Christian’s girls basketball team defeated Derby Invasion, 37-33, on Saturday for fifth place in the KCAA state tournament.

The Eagles finished 12-13, going 2-1 in the state tournment.

“We played well in this tournament,” Veritas coach Kevin Shelton said. “We finished playing some of our best basketball. We proud of that. It was a good way to end the season.”

Tori Huslig scored 16 points and made the all-tournament second team. Naomi Hickman added 11 points.

“This team beat us a couple weeks ago, 56-21,” Shelton said. “I was really proud of the defensive effort. I really thought Alison Dover really played the defensive game of her life tonight. And she scored a nice follow basket. And Madison Bennett made two free throws late that were big.”

Huslig hit a free throw late in the game to put Veritas up by four.

Veritas 10 2 7 18 — 37

Derby 4 12 4 13 — 33

Veritas: Tori Huslig 16, Madi Bennett 4, Kristen Finger 2, Alison Dover 6, Naomi Hickman 11.

Derby: Elizabeth Macias 2, Elizabeth Vishnefski 11, Laurel Palmer 14, Lydia King 2, Isabella Parker 6.

St. John’s Military 55, Veritas boys 54, OT

Junction City — Veritas Christian’s boys basketball team finished its season Saturday with a 55-54 overtime loss to St John’s Military in the consolation final of the KCAA state tournament.

The Eagles finished 17-9 overall and sixth at state.

“It was a great game,” Veritas coach Gary Hammer said. “It was a shame somebody had to lose. It was disappointing, but we still had a really good year. The guys have nothing to hang their heads about.”

Chad Stieben led Veritas with 13 points, followed by Andrew Currier and Elijah Harvey with 12 points apiece and Caleb Holland with nine points. Thomas Bachert added eight points and was named to the all-tournament team.

“We had a good year,” Hammer said. “It kind of ended on a sour note, but the guys really battled hard.”

Veritas 15 11 13 11 4 — 54

St. John’s 19 8 11 12 5 — 55

Veritas: Chad Stieben 13, Andrew Currier 12, Elijah Harvey 12, Caleb Holland 9, Thomas Bachert 8.

St. John’s: Prophete 13, Edouard 16, Smith 20, Mudd 6.