LARNED – Ellinwood High’s Rachel Doll overpowered Kinsley’s shorter guards.
Doll scored a season high 33 points and sparked the Lady Eagles with superb ballhandling in a 63-45 semifinal victory over Kinsley in the Gene Keady Classic.
Doll’s 33 points set a tournament record for most points in the Keady Classic. Delaney Beckwith benefited from Doll’s passing with 15 points.
Pesky Kinsley hung close with a hustling defensive style. Alex Herrmann scored on a steal to slice the lead to 23-21.
“Kinsley showed they were a scrappy team that would get after you fullcourt,” said Ellinwood coach Kyle Kriegh. “Their fullcourt press sped up us a couple of times.”
The Eagles took charge with a 16-2 streak wrapped around both halves for a 39-23 lead.
Doll dominated the third quarter with 13 points, including a 3-point play for a 49-33 lead after three periods.
“Rachel did a good job leading her team tonight,” said Kriegh. “She kept her teammates fired up and did a good job getting the basketball to her teammates.”
After having some foul trouble, the Eagles adjusted to a packed-in zone defense that allowed the Coyotes the outside shot.
“We talked about making Kinsley shoot outside shots the second half, and it was effective,” Kriegh said.
Ellinwood (3-0) plays St. John (3-0) in Saturday’s championship game. Kinsley will play Hoisington for third place.
Kinsley, a short quick team, played effective scrambling defense at times. Paige Herrmann knocked down a pair of 3-pointers for 10 points. Alex Herrmann converted a 3-pointer and scored 10 points.
St. John 28,  Hoisington 18
St. John’s Teresa Christie scored 13 points to lead the Tigers past the Hoisington Cardinals.
The 46 combined points was the lowest score in girls tournament history, breaking the previous mark of 53 points.
The Tigers’ defense forced 32 Hoisington turnovers.
The Tigers built a 21-4 lead halfway through the second period before scoring seven points in the final 20 minutes.
The Tigers made 10 of 30 field goals and committed 26 turnovers.
Rylie Koester led the Cardinals with 13 points. The Cardinals made eight of 27 field goals.