Heights survives North, 62-56, Lady Falcons blow out

December 04, 2010|By GRANT MEECH | KWCH 12 Eyewitness Sports

WICHITA, Kan. — Jayhawk assistant basketball coach Danny Manning was on hand at Wichita-North to watch Perry Ellis. He might have changed his view for the night with Connor Frankamp there.

The sophomore guard scored 29 points and pushed Wichita-Heights to the brink as the Falcons survived, 62-56 over North.

"They did the same thing to us last year," said Joe Auer, Heights basketball coach. "We had three days together and we looked like it tonight."

The Falcons drained a huge three point shot on the first play of the game but the Redskins answered right back with a long jumper for himself as both teams traded blows in the closest eight minutes of the game.

Heights (1-0) began to pull away in the back half of the first half behind Perry Ellis, who had a big dunk that electrified the Heights crowd, but the home crowd was behind Frankamp who continued to lead the charge for North (0-1). Terrence Moore and Frankamp had a nice battle and many wondered who was the better point guard.

"We just were not very well prepared," Auer said. "But that's what happens when you're playing football until Thanksgiving weekend, but we will get better."

Falcons led 36-24 at halftime but the game got even closer in the second half. Moore, who finished with 14 points, and Frankamp traded blows and Ellis, who is always a factor, seemed to just fill a role instead of emerge, opening things up for Dreamius Smith. He scored some very tough baskets in the closing minutes and led the team with 16 points.

"We told our kids when we got together on Monday, 'Do whatever you have to do to win a game,'" said Auer. "Whatever we have to do to win a game, we'll do it."

The Lady Falcons showed that they were in another class in the City League by beating North, 89-19. Four Heights' players finished in double digits and Katie Palmer matched all of North's points.

"We are very happy where we are at right now," Kip Pulliam said following the game. "We have a lot to work on right now and we have a long road but I'm happy where we are after our first game."

Heights (1-0) led 27-2 after the first quarter, 60-15 at halftime and were never in question.

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