Derby boys, girls advance to Class 6A basketball tournament

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Kaitlyn Sanders, Yearbook staff writer, photographer

Both the boys and girls basketball teams looking to win a Class 6A championship. It’s the first time both teams have advanced to the state tournament in the same season.

Just by looking at both teams’ records, Saturday’s boys game should have been a close one against visiting Garden City.

But the Panthers ran away from Garden City early on their way to a 63-38 win in the sub-state championship. Derby beat Junction City 76-34 on Wednesday night in the sub-state semifinal.

Garden City only scored five points in the game’s first four minutes. Meanwhile Derby senior Tyler Brown scored seven of the Panthers’ 15 points.

Going into halftime Derby doubled Garden City’s score for the 30-15 lead.

By the fourth quarter the Panthers kept a lead of mostly 20 to win the game 63-38.

Brown and senior Bryant Mocaby were the high scorers with 20 and 14 points.

The 6A brackets were released on Sunday. The girls are seeded third, while the boys are seeded fourth.

The girls (20-1) play Wednesday at Koch Arena at 8:15 p.m. against Blue Valley North (17-5).

The boys (15-6) play Thursday at 8:15 p.m. against Olathe North (14-8).