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Ellinwood girls advance to 2A semifinals
Brynn Widener leads Eagles
ehs wins1
The 2A state basketball qualifier Ellinwood Eagles feature front row--Mette Maxwell (10), Eleanor Joiner (2), Regan Wirtz (22), Bennett Jacobs (3), Avery Panning (25); back row--Addi Stickney (11), Reese Stickney (12), Regan Widener (5), Julia Schlessiger (21), Ayla Ritchie (4), Brynn Widener (20), Alyvia Batchman (23).

BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

SALINA — Ellinwood's girls converted seven free throws in the fourth quarter to hold off Rossville's upset bid 55-48 in Thursday's 2A state basketball quarterfinals.

Ayla Ritchie and leading scorer Brynn Widener each converted three free throws as the Eagles overcame 1 of 12 field shooting in the fourth quarter.

"The girls showed some toughness," said Ellinwood coach Greg Maxwell. "We had girls step up and make some plays."

Brynn Widener took advantage offensively for 7 of 11 shooting when Rossville focused its defense on 6-2 Julia Schlessiger.

"I love that it's someone different every night. Brynn was phenomenal," Maxwell said. "The way Rossville played defense gave Brynn a favorable matchup."

Rossville's versatile guard Rylee Dick poured through 31 points and scored 24 of Rossville's 27 points after halftime. She nearly beat the Eagles by herself. Dick aggressively attacked the Eagles for scores and free throws. She converted six 3-pointers.

"We didn't allow her to get that last key shot," Maxwell said. "I had no doubt the girls would handle what Rossville gave us."

Rossville drew within 50-48 when Mette Maxwell sank a free throw and Ritchie and Brynn Widener each made two clinching free throws.

Brynn Widener converted back-to-back 3-pointers and scored 16 first-half points off 6 of 7 field goals for a 32-21 halftime lead. The Eagles held Dick to seven first-half points.

Dick's inspired play brought the Bulldawgs back.

Rossville 13 8 18 9 — 48

Ellinwood 13 19 14 9 — 55

ROSSVILLE (15-11)—Rylee Dick 9-23 (6-11) 7-8 31; Burdick 3-12 (0-3) 3-5 9; Miller 3-9 (1-3) 0-2 7; Sanders 0-0 1-2 1; Totals 15-44 (7-17) 11-17 48

ELLINWOOD (26-1)—Brynn Widener 7-11 (3-6) 4-7 21, Maxwell 4-13 (1-7) 1-2 10, Ritchie 2-7 4-10 8, Batchman 2-4 (1-3) 0-0 5, Schlessiger 2-10 0-0 4, Joiner 1-5 (0-2) 0-0 2, Regan Widener 1-4 0-0 2,  Panning 1-2 (1-1) 0-0 3, Totals 20-56 (6-19) 9-19 55

2A STATE —SEMIFINALS—Ellinwood (26-1) vs Eureka (23-2); QUARTERFINALS—Ellinwood 54, Rossville 48; Eureka 51, Oakley 45; Moundridge (23-2) vs Valley Heights (18-7), 6 p.m.; Pittsburg Colgan (23-2) vs Salina Sacred Heart (22-4), 4 p.m.