Lindsay defense stifles Comanche in tourney opener

A suffocating defense by Lindsay kept the Comanche boys off-balance allowing the Leopards to take a 41-21 win in the first round of the 2023 Charles K. Heatly Classic in Lindsay.

Comanche was able to grab the early lead, but Lindsay, ranked 11th in Class 3A, tightened down in the lane, contesting nearly every shot on drives to the basket by the Indians. Comanche kept themselves in the game through halftime with solid defense on their own, but big run by the Leopards would open up the game in the third quarter.

Comanche led 6-2 with 3:08 to go in the first quarter and 6-4 at the end of the quarter, but the Indians would go scoreless in the second quarter, allowing Lindsay a chance to take the lead, which they did with 3:35 to go in the second quarter on their way to a 14-6 halftime lead.

Baskets by Hunter Lassley and Briar Blair to open the third quarter cut the Leopards' lead to 14-10, but it would be as close as the Indians would get. Lindsay answered with a 12-0 run as they extended their lead to 28-14 heading into the fourth quarter.

Comanche was never able to make a run in the fourth quarter as Lindsay advanced to the semifinals.

The Indians, the No. 6 seed, will play Sulphur, the No. 7 seed, in a consolation semifinal today (Friday) at 2 p.m.

Scoring

Comanche (3-4): Hunter Lassley, 10; Briar Blair, 4; Dillon Ellis, 4; Blayden Cook, 3

Lindsay (11-1): Ryein Kennedy, 14; Mitchell Henson, 12; Kaleb Ince, 9; Seth Padilla, 2; Brycen Watts, 2; Jaedin Watts, 2