Saturday, March 22, 2025
The St. John’s/Tipton Blujay boys basketball team finished their season at 14-5 after their Class 1A, Sub-State Division II loss to Axtell on March 8, 2025, in Tescott.
The Blujays received a bye as the number three seed on Jan. 25, and defeated number six seed Pike Valley (10-10), on March 3 to advance into the Sub-State #2 championship game on March 8.
St. John’s/Tipton lost to number two seed, Axtell (19-1), 58-76, for the Sub-State Runners-Up title.
Axtell took the early 20-8 lead after the opening quarter. The outscored the Jays, 19-10, in the second quarter for the 39-18, halftime lead. The Blujays came out in the third quarter to outscore Axtell, 17-14, and trailed 53-35. Both teams scored evenly at 23-23, in the final quarter, and Axtell won over St. John’s/Tipton, 76-58.
Edward Horinek led the Blujays scoring off a three point shot and was 4-4 from the free throw line for his 7 points scored. Gabriel Roderick added a free shot, as the Jays trailed 20-8.
Tyson Gates landed two three point shots and a free shot for 7 points in the second quarter. Horinek added a three point shot of his own, and St. John’s/Tipton trailed, with the Axtell lead, 39-18.
Gates led again in the third quarter, landing a field goal and two three point shots for 8 points. Roderick added three field goals for 6 points and Horinek added a 3 point shot. St. John’s/Tipton trailed, in the Axtell 53-35 lead.
Gates continued to be hot on his shot and added 10 points in the final quarter off two free shots, a field goal and two three pointers. Horinek was sent to the line for another two bonus points and added a field goal for 4 points. John Mick landed tow field goals for 4 points; Roderick a 3 point shot, and Grant Goodaker landed a field goal for 2 points. St. John’s/Tipton lost to Tescott, 76-58, to end their season as Sub-State Runners-Up.
Blujay senior, Tyson Gates, led St. John’s/Tipton scoring 25 points followed by Edward Horinek with 14 and Gabriel Roderick 10. John Mick scored 4 points; Kaden Rabe 3; Grant Goodaker 2.
Brandon Schmelzle led Axtell with 22 points followed by Owen Strathman 17; Colin Shaughnessy 15; and Eli Broxterman 11. Landon Schmitz scored 6; Wyatt Detweller 5.
