Centre falls in first round at Class 1A-Div. 1 state tourney

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 12 March 2013 13:57

Rebekah Basore shoots a free throw late in the first half against St. John-Hudson. The senior made two of four free throws in her final game as a Cougar. Turnovers paved the way to an early exit for the Centre girls at the Class 1A-Division 1 state tournament Wednesday in Emporia. The Cougars short-circuited 36 possessions to help St. John-Hudson cruise to a 55-26 victory in the quarterfinals.

The start of the game set the tone for the evening, as the No. 6 seeded Cougars lost their first four possessions while the No. 3 seeded Tigers built a 6-0 lead less than 2:30 into the game.

Makenzie Dienes scored Centre’s first two points of the night at the 4:54 mark. St. John Hudson led 12-4 by the end of the period.

The Cougars’ struggles continued into the second period with 12 more turnovers and one field goal—a three-point basket by Cacey Simons at the 2:25 mark—in only four...

Read more: Centre falls in first round at Class 1A-Div. 1 state tourney

Third time for third place in 3A

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 12 March 2013 13:54

A determined Danae Bina looks for an opening to shoot or pass during the second half of Saturday’s third-place game against Russell. The junior point guard scored 21 points to lead Hillsboro to the 59-44 victory at the Class 3A state tournament. They didn’t win the state championship they had set their hearts on, but the Hillsboro girls proved once more that they are champions of resilience and character.

With disappointment still lingering after a loss in the semifinals the previous night, the Trojans came back to defeat Russell, 59-44, for third place at the Class 3A state tournament in Hutch­in­son.

This is the third straight year the Trojans have come back less than 16 hours after a heartbreaking defeat to end their season with an impressive victory in the consolation matchup.

“It’s a big accomplishment,” coach Nathan Hiebert said. “It’s not what they wanted, but I’m proud how they came out really focused early. They didn’t want to leave with a...

Read more: Third time for third place in 3A

AREA HOOPS ROUNDUP

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 05 March 2013 14:32

GIRLS

Canton-Galva—The Eagles entered the Moundridge Class 2A sub-state as the No. 8 seed and lost a 72-16 quarterfinal contest to No. 1 Moundridge.

Moundridge (20-3) went on to earn the championship with wins over Peabody-Burns and Berean Academy.

The Eagles ended the season with a 2-19 record.

Centre—The Cougars earned a berth in the Class 1A-Division I state tournament this Saturday with a 60-37 win over Langdon-Fairfield in the championship game of their sub-state tournament at Burrton.

The Cougars came in to the sub-state tournament as the No. 2 seed. After a first-round bye, the Cougars defeated Pretty Prairie, 44-33, Thursday.

Shelby Makovec led the Cougar attack with 13 points. Beka Basore added 10.

The Cougars then...

Read more: AREA HOOPS ROUNDUP

Hillsboro, Marion boys drop semifinal sub-state contests

Written by Don Ratzlaff & Janae Rempel Tuesday, 05 March 2013 14:28

Shaq Thiessen shoots for two in Hillsboro’s 44-43 semifinal loss to Haven. Thiessen led the Trojans with 11 points after contributing 13 points in Hillsboro’s quarterfinal 49-38 win over Lyons. Trojans endure rough first quarter, fall by one.



It was somehow fitting that the Hillsboro boys ended an “if only” season with an “if only” 44-43 loss to Haven in the final seconds of Friday’s sub-state semifinals.

Hillsboro, who lost five games during the regular season by a margin of four points or less, overcame a 20-8 first-quarter deficit to lead by as much as 41-35 after three quarters. But victory proved to be elusive one last time.

Haven made about everything it threw up in the first quarter to build that 20-8 lead.

“Everything they did went their way, and we missed layups in the first part of the game when we were just pressing too hard,” coach Darrel Knoll said. “If we make a couple of those, it’s a...

Read more: Hillsboro, Marion boys drop semifinal sub-state contests