Junior Taylor Wesley was among four Chiefs in double figures during an 86-50 romp over Sweet Springs. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

ALMA -- Nobody asked the Santa Fe boys' basketball team whether it was ready to run and gun, but the Chiefs didn't seem to mind.

Sweet Springs debuted its new approach to begin the post-Kueker era Tuesday in the first round of the I-70 Conference Tournament at Alma, and the host team went wild. Santa Fe sprinted to a 33-11 start and rolled over the Greyhounds, 86-50.

Senior Kenzie Thorp buried three shots from downtown during his 11-point first period, eventually settling for 18 points. After the initial onslaught, Sweet Springs got its offense going with 20 points during the second frame, sophomore Billy Martin stroking a pair of outside jumpers.

However, when the 'Hounds managed only one point in the first four minutes of the second half, the game got out of hand. Junior Taylor Wesley made four buckets during the third quarter, the Chiefs going on a 26-11 run, with the final stanza being played under the "continuous clock" rule.

Sophomore Zach Thomas scored 20 points, connecting three times from perimeter, and Martin finished with 16 points for the 'Hounds (0-1) -- who took 29 of their 62 field-goal attempts from outside the arc and turned the ball over 28 times.

Santa Fe (1-0) had its problems controlling the ball, coughing it up 34 times, but dominated the glass by a 53-21 margin -- junior Bryan Sander collecting 11 rebounds and Thorp and Wesley grabbing nine each. Junior Logan Kirchhoff, who didn't play hoops last year, tallied 19 points in his first appearance.

Sweet Springs will play Crest Ridge in the consolation semifinals, while the Chiefs meet Wellington-Napoleon, when boys' action resumes Thursday.