By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Chapman and Abilene split the first of two doubleheaders on the hardwood in Chapman on Friday, with the Lady Irish winning their 11th game of the season, and the Cowboys snapping a ten-game losing streak.
Girls: Chapman 56, Abilene 40
The Lady Irish staved off a big surge from Abilene early in the second quarter, pushing their advantage back to a comfortable margin and holding on for a rivalry victory.
In the first quarter, Chapman allowed just two points on one Tessa Herrman field goal. Abilene would pick up the pace in the second quarter, cutting the lead down to three, but the Lady Irish responded well and held a 23-16 lead at halftime.
A three-point contest broke out in the third quarter, with Chapman knocking down four triples to one up three from the Cowgirls.
Fouls and free throws dictated the fourth quarter, but Chapman shot 7-10 from the stripe down the stretch, holding on for a comfortable 56-40 win.
The starting five all chipped in big for the Lady Irish, led by Callie Cook (10), Josie Baer (10), Jai Rodgers (10), Avery Baer (9), and Adelynn Kirkpatrick (8).
Abilene was led in scoring by Makenna Stover (13) and Tessa Hermann (10), who was hampered throughout the game with foul trouble.
With this victory, Chapman improves to 11-4 overall and 3-4 in NCKL play while Abilene slides to 4-10 and 0-6 respectively.
Boys: Abilene 57, Chapman 49
Chapman’s boys battled admirably, cutting the lead down to one possession three times in the second half, but couldn’t find their first win of the season as Abilene snapped a ten-game losing streak on the road.
Early on, it looked like Abilene might run away with this one, as the Irish failed to score for the first five minutes of the opening frame, trailing 12-5 after a quarter.
The second quarter was a mess across the board, with high-volume fouls leading to 21 free throws split nearly evenly between the two teams. At halftime, Abilene led 32-23.
In the second half, the Irish surged ahead with multiple big runs, making it a one-possession game on three occasions, but in the end, Abilene was able to hold on for their first win in 2026.
Kolt Becker (17), Landon Rodgers (13), and Levi Evans (12) led the charge for the Cowboys while Bo Rothchild (12) and Connor Cote-Boss (10) topped the score sheet for the Irish.
With this win, Abilene improves to 3-11, collecting their first NCKL win, while Chapman drops to 0-15.
You can watch both of these games on-demand any time below.