Excelsior Springs varsity boys basketball coach Ian Burch and his Tigers have a breather.

The boys have no games scheduled this week, Excelsior Springs School District information states. They entered the break after two losses last week. On Jan. 21, they fell 66-39 to Van Horn of Independence. The Tigers then tumbled 74-31 Jan. 24 to Kearney in Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference-Blue Division play. Both defeats were on the road.

The Tigers scored the first four points against Van Horn, courtesy of Easton Ryan’s backdoor layup and Cole Rhine’s

bank shot inside the paint. But the Falcons scored the next seven points and went on to lead 16-12 after one quarter.

Van Horn made it 18-12 with a layup off of a fast break early in the second quarter.

Brody Querry and Ryan scored to help Excelsior Springs get within two with 6 minutes left in the quarter. The Falcons, however, built a cushion the remainder of the quarter, leading 33-22 at halftime.

Van Horn put it away by outscoring Excelsior Sp…