BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribunecom

EMPORIA – The upset-minded Great Bend's girls started perfectly with baskets by Makenzie Premer and Emilee Hall and a steal by Premer, who missed a layup that would've delivered a 6-0 lead over Emporia.

However, the Spartans' lightning-quick full-court defense quickly took control. Emporia's pressure defense dictated the tempo as the Spartans converted 17 Panther turnovers into 14 points. 

Emporia’s Addie Kirmer led a trio of Spartans in double figures with 17 points for a 59-26 substate basketball victory that clinched a 5A state berth. Emeil Bennett (13) and Casey DeWitt (10) scored in double figures.

The Spartans led 15-6 after one period and 32-15 at halftime keyed by four 3-pointers and 12 of 24 shooting. The Panthers converted 3 of 13 first-half shots after a fast start.

Potential WAC Player of the Year Sadie Spray closed out her 1,000-point career with nine points against superb DeWitt's defense. Emilee Hall scored six points. Emporia converted 23 of 39 field goals (59%) and 8 of 10 free throws. The Spartans outscored the Panthers (0 for 9) from 3-point range 15-0.

When the Panthers broke Emporia's full-court defense, they faced an equally aggressive man-to-man defense that held the Panthers to 10 of 31 shooting (33%). The Spartans' quickness was a challenge.

"It wasn't our best game because we never were in an offensive rhythm," said Great Bend coach Cindy Beck. "Emporia's a good program Emporia didn't seem to miss much that first half." 

The Panthers (15-7) pieced together a runner-up Western Athletic finish and best season since 2014 when Great Bend qualified for the 5A state tournament. Seniors Spray, Hall, Premer, Paige Thexton, Addy Nicholson, Samantha Mayers and Ava Gregg graduate.

"These girls believed. They've changed the culture of Great Bend basketball," Beck said. "I was proud we put together a great season. I'm blessed. They're great kids who did everything I've asked of them. They are players who do a lot for their high school." 

Great Bend 6 9 9 2 – 26

Emporia 15 17 17 10 – 59

GREAT BEND (15-7)—Spray 3-11 3-4 9, Hall 2-3 2-2 6, Thexton 1-4 0-1 2, Nicholson 0-1 0-0 0, McCauley 1-4 0-0 2, Reimer 1-2 1-2 3, Premer 1-4 0-0 2, Ringo 1-2 0-0 2, Totals 10-31 3-5 26.

EMPORIA (21-1)—Addie Kirmer 6-10 5-6 17, Bennett 5-10 0-0 13, DeWitt 3-4 2-2 10, Shivley 4-7 0-0 8, Peak 3-4 0-0 6, Herfkens 1-1 1-2 3, Baker 1-3 0-0 2, Totals 23-39 8-10 59.

3-pointers—GB 0-9 (Nicholson 0-1, Premer 0-1, Thexton 0-2, Spray 0-2, McCauley 0-3); E 5-12 (Bennett 3-6, DeWitt 2-3, Shivley 0-1, Kirmer 0-2)

5A GIRLS STATE MARCH 7, EMPORIA

2 p.m. – Andover 22-0 vs. Blue Valley SW 12-10

4 p.m. – Topeka Seaman 20-2 vs. DeSoto 19-3

6 p.m. – Maize South 21-1 vs. St. Thomas Aquinas 16-6

8 p.m.– Emporia 21-1 vs. Wichita Carroll 19-3

5A WEST SUBSTATES

ANDOVER—3-2—Andover 47, Hutchinson 23; Andover 52, Goddard Eisenhower 32; Hutchinson 41, Kapaun-Mt. Carmel 37

MAIZE—3-2—Maize South 40, Valley Center 25; Maize South 52, Arkansas City 29; Valley Center 51, Salina South 33 

EMPORIA—3-2—Emporia 59; Great Bend 26; Emporia 65, Topeka West 35; Great Bend 46, Salina Central 42

WICHITA—3-2—Wichita Carroll 38, Hays High 34; Wichita Carroll 49, Andover Central 41; Hays 53, Goddard 45 (OT)