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After coming close to knocking off a highly-touted opponent on numerous occasions during the past two seasons, Bonner Springs finally made it happen Tuesday night at the District PE Center against the Santa Fe Trail Chargers.

The Chargers came into the game with a firm hold on second place in the Kaw Valley League, but they left shaking their heads after a 65-62 loss.

Bonner Springs lit up the scoreboard by turning hard-nosed defense into easy baskets on the other end all night long.

“The kids fight,” BSHS coach Ryan Hull said. “When our kids execute the way they should, we are going to be in games. We are trying to get a more consistent effort out of them. Our defense was phenomenal tonight. That’s what won us the game.”

It was senior night for the Braves’ Wole Imokhome, Ryan Morris and David Williams. Imokhome turned in his normal high-energy performance, stuffing the stat sheet with 10 points, five rebounds, three blocks and a steal.

“I thought we worked together really well tonight,” Imokhome said. “We played good defense and really played aggressive on offense. I was able to do a little bit of everything tonight … I’ll remember that.”

Morris, who is a seldom-used big man, provided Hull with some quality minutes and help defending 6-foot-7 center Stuart Kraus.

“I couldn’t believe it has already been four years here; it goes by pretty quick,” Morris said. “Getting to suit up and getting into games is a great memory. I just try to go hard every time out.”

The game was a close battle all night long with neither team getting more than a six-point lead. Both teams executed near the goal and it came down to a wild fourth quarter that started with BSHS sophomore guard Jourdaine Smallwood scoring eight straight points. He knocked down an open 3-pointer that gave the Braves a 48-46 lead, and then was left open again on the next possession. He drained that attempt, but he was not finished yet. On the next possession he danced around the interior defenders and dropped in a stylish layup, and then shared the ball to Brett Steuart for two more.

Sophomore B.J. Watson proved to be another thorn in the Chargers’ side. After scoring two baskets in the first half, Watson scored eight points in the second, including going 6-for-6 from the foul line.

Watson and junior Juan Pichardo hit free throws down the stretch to preserve the victory.

Pichardo led BSHS with 17 points.

Bonner Springs (8-11) closes out the regular season at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Basehor-Linwood. The Braves will learn their Class 5A substate seeding on Saturday.

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