Winnetonka’s pressure defense proved too much for Excelsior Springs when the schools met recently in varsity boys basketball. 

Excelsior Springs committed 29 turnovers in its 74-21 Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference-Blue Division defeat, with Winnetonka scoring 31 points off those turnovers. The Jan. 10 home loss put the Tigers at 0-10 overall entering this week’s Lawson Invitational.

Sparked by their full-court press, the Griffins took control by bolting to a 20-1 lead. They led 26-5 after one quarter.

Easton Ryan, Cole Rhine and Brody Querry accounted for Excelsior Springs’ first-quarter points. Ryan, a senior, sank a free throw with 6 minutes, 14 seconds remaining. Rhine, also a senior, scored a two-point bucket off a bounce pass by Ryan with 3:05 remaining. Querry, a junior, scored a two-point basket inside the paint.

Taking their full-court press off in the second quarter, the Griffins outscored the Tigers 14-5 for the quarter to lead 40-10 at halftime. Winnetonka then put i…