BY CHARLES CHANEY
ANDALE, Kan. — They were top-seeded for a reason.
The top-seeded 4A west Andale Indians used their physicality and a hot start to end Circle’s season on Friday in the Class 4A sub-state final, 64-46.
Circle season’s ends at 14-8.
“I’m proud of how we never quit or gave up,” Circle head coach Jordan Crawford said. “We just kept fighting and that’s all I can ask for.”
Andale jumped out to an 18-4 lead as Circle appeared to let the energy in the standing room only gym overtake them. Andale was cool from the start and it’s something you probably can contribute to them being successful in other sports. They’ve been in these big moments and big games. They don’t get rattled too much.
“Yeah, we came out too amped up early,” Crawford said. “We took too long to settle down and then they hit their free throws late. Sometimes, that’s how the games go.”
Andale was aggressive and persistent. They followed their own shots and always put hands out in the passing lanes, not fearful of getting fouls at the risk of a breakaway steal. Time and time again, the Indians were able to get a hand on a ball and it led to a breakaway. The Indians had 10 first half points on fast break points.
It wouldn’t be until 3:05 remaining in the first quarter Circle finally was able to get on the scoreboard. By then, Andale had built a 7-0 lead. Andale would push the lead out to 18-4 in the first half before Keaton Koenigsman finally was able to see a ball go through the net. There were little ‘gimmes’ underneath the basket that didn’t fall. Jumpers that normally drop throughout the regular season appeared to be dried up.
Even when Boldra tried to do it all himself, to the point he tried a heat check from 30-feet that rimmed out, Circle never could find the right stop. Boldra would score and then Andale, most of the time it was Jack Horsch doing the damage, would answer back.
Even on breakaway plays, Boldra would make the play, get a block but an Andale player was right there to get the follow up, leaving Boldra on an island to defend both players.
Horsch scored nine of Andale’s 12 points right before half.
Andale led 30-14 as the Thunderbirds shot only 28 percent from the field and 1 of 8 from three. They were only 1 of 3 at the line.
“We still thought we had a good shot at halftime,” Crawford saisd. “We have the shooters to make a run like that.”
They could never get the needed stops in the second half.
It felt as every time they were getting some momentum; a foul would go against Circle or Andale would find a way to get a shot to fall or a turnover and they’d be off to the races.
Andale opened the second half on a quick 10-4 burst, that’s when the lid came off a bit for the Thunderbirds. Koenigsman hit a three and then Boldra was able to get to the line. The momentum had been flipping or so it seemed.
Through all the scoring, defensive possessions and stops, they trailed by even more going into the fourth than they did at halftime.
Circle made their push to start the fourth, scoring back-to-back buckets and getting stops. Keena Boldra finally saw a three fall and then Landon hit a three from Colwich to pull Circle to within 52-41 with 2:38 remaining.
It just wasn’t meant to be for Circle.
While Circle was trying to fight back, Andale made their free throws, draining 10 consecutive free throws, icing the game.
“Credit to Andale,” Crawford said. “They made the plays and the stops they needed. They’re No. 1 for a reason.”
Circle says goodbye to three seniors in Hunter Cowman, Landon Boldra and Keaton Koenigsman. They’ve helped elevate a program that was always a respectable program to one that now has made sub-state finals in three consecutive finals. Boldra and Koenigsman leave with 63 career wins.
“We’re going to miss those guys,” Crawford said. “When we coach, we’re coaching to make better men, not just athletes. I feel like we’ve raised some really good men that are now leaving our program.
“That’s all we want. Sure, we want wins and losses but when we help develop quality men who will go on and do great things, that’s what this is all about.”
Andale 64, Circle 46
Circle 4 10 13 19 – 46
Andale 13 17 15 19 – 64
CIRCLE (14-8) 46: Smith 1 (1) 0-0 – 5; Gilbertson 0 (1) 1-2 – 4; Cowman 3 2-2 – 8; K. Boldra 0 (1) 0-0 – 3; L. Boldra 4 (2) 2-4 – 16; Koenigsman 3 (1) 1-3 – 10. TOTALS: 11-28 6-21 6-11 – 46.
ANDALE (19-3 64: Baalmann 3 8-9 – 14; B. Kaiser 4 0-1 – 8; Keupker 0 2-2 – 2; Molitor 2 0-0 – 4; Potucek 0 3-6 – 3; C. Kaiser 1 2-2 – 4; Horsh 5 (3) 3-4 – 22; Fowler 0 2-4 – 2; Marx 1 3-6 – 5. TOTALS: 16-36 3-12 23-34 – 64.
