SHAHAN LEADS WILDCATS TO PAIR OF SEASON OPENING WINS

MOUNDRIDGE TAKES DOWN HAVEN, ELYRIA CHRISTIAN

By Staff

          MOUNDRIDGE – The Moundridge boys basketball team scored a pair of runaway victories over Haven and Elyria Christian on Tuesday and Friday  to open the 2025/26 season 2-0.

          On Tuesday, the Wildcats jumped all over Haven in the first quarter, flying out to an 18-1 lead before settling in for a 10-point, 24-14 advantage at the halftime break. Moundridge outscored Haven 16-10 in the third quarter and 14-6 in the fourth to earn the final 24-point, 54-30 win.

          Hillsboro transfer Easton Shahan showed his worth immediately, leading the Wildcats in scoring with 18. Heath Churchill added 10 and Jesse Lutz hit for nine.

          On Friday, the Wildcats ran past Elyria Christian with a 66-40 victory.

          Taking a commanding 18-2 lead by the end of the first quarter, the Wildcats held off a sudden surge of Elyria offense to hang to a 36-19 advantage at the halftime break before cruising in the second half to the final 26-point, 66-40 win.

          Easton Shanan led the Wildcats by scoring 20 while Jesse Lutz joined him in double digits with 16 and Layton Schmidt just missed with nine. Both Heath Churchill and Kaizer Kanitz pitched in with eight points each.

          Moundridge will play host to a tournament next week with the Wildcats scheduled to play Lyons on Tuesday, Hillsboro on Thursday and then finish out with a county rivalry matchup with Inman on Friday.

TUESDAY, DEC. 2 – vs. Haven

SCORING = Wildcats won 54-30

Wildcats = 18-6-16-14 = 54; Haven = 1-13-10-6 = 30.

WILDCAT INDIVDIUAL STAT LEADERS:

Scoring (54) = Easton Shahan – 18; Heath Churchill – 10; Jesse Lutz – 9; Layton Schmidt – 8; Kaizer Kanitz – 6; Fynn Burge – 3.

3-Pointers Made (5) = Shahan – 2; Lutz, Schmidt, Burge – 1.

No other team or individual stats were made available.

FRIDAY, DEC 5 – hosting Elyria Christian

SCORING = Wildcats won 66-40

Wildcats = 18-18-20-10 = 66; Elyria Christian = 2-17-10-11 = 40.

TEAM STATS:

Moundridge = FGs – 29/57; 3PTs – 4/17; FTs – 4/6; Assists – 17; Rebounds (off/def) – 10/19 = 31; Steals – 13; Blocked Shots – 4; Turnovers – 7; Fouls – 7.

Eagles = FGs – 14/42; 3PTs – 8/23; FTs – 4/6; Assists – 9; Rebounds (off/def) – 7/15 = 25; Steals – 6; Blocked Shots – 1; Turnovers – 19; Fouls – 7.

WILDCAT INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS:

Scoring (66) = Easton Shahan – 20; Jesse Lutz – 16; Layton Schmidt – 9; Heath Churchill, Kaizer Kanitz – 8; Fynn Burge – 5.

3-Pointers Made (4) = Lutz – 2; Shahan, Schmidt – 1.

Team stats came courtesy of Elyria Christian; no other individual stats were made available.

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)