CENTRAL PLAINS GIRLS 54, LA CROSSE 42 – The Central Plains Lady Oilers defeated the Lacrosse Leopards 54-42 in the St. John 1A basketball substate.
The Oilers converted 18 of 29 free throws compared to the Leopards 0 for 2. Marilyn Soeken scored 24 points with a trio of 3-pointers. Grace Lamatsch scored 10 with a pair of 3-pointers and Kylie Kempke added nine points.
Molly Showalter led Lacrosse in scoring with 14 points. The Leopards converted eight 3-pointers.
“The first half we shot lights out, and our defensive effort was impressive,” said Oiler coach Pat Stiles. “The second half was a battle, but the girls proved they could handle the pressure. This was a great win. We’re ready to play some more basketball next week.”
The Oilers (15-6) will face Spearville (17-4) Friday at the St. John substate.
The Oilers enjoyed a spectacular first half for a 29-10 lead. The Leopards put a strong press on the Oilers allowing them several steals and 19 points in the third quarter. The Oilers survived the pressure of the fourth quarter, going on to win Friday's contest.
La Crosse 5 5 19 13 – 42
C. Plains 15 14 15 10 – 54
LA CROSSE (9-12)–Molly Showalter 5 0-0 14, Morgan 3 0-0 8, Parrott 3 0-0 7, Liz Showalter 3 0-0 7, Werth 1 0-0 2, Thielenhaus 1 0-0 2, Dellett 1 0-2 2, Totals 17 0-2 42.
CENTRAL PLAINS (15-6)–Soeken 7 7-8 24, Lamatsch 2 4-10 10, Kempke 1 7-7 9, Green 2 0-0 5, Sheehy 2 0-0 4, Strouse 1 0-4 2, Totals 15 18-29 54.
3-pointers–L 8 (M. Showalter 4, Morgan 2, Parrott 1, E. Showalter 1); CP 6 (Soeken 3, Lamatsch 2, Green 1)
HODGEMAN COUNTY 58, MACKSVILLE 41 – Hodgeman County outscored the Mustangs 31-19 after halftime for a 58-41 substate victory over Macksville. Macksville’s Mayce Russell scored 10 points and Kambry Adams added eight points.
Taylor Bamberger led Hodgeman County with 13 points and Morgan Ruff added 12 points. The Loghorns play No. 2 ranked St. John (19-1) in the St. John semifinals.
Macksville 7 15 5 14 – 41
Hodgeman Co. 11 16 17 14 – 58
MACKSVILLE (12-9)—Russell 4 2-4 10, Adams 2 4-4 8, Ortiz 2 2-4 6, Butler 3 0-0 6, Sanders 3 0-0 6, Garcia 1 0-0 2, Chadd 1 1-2 3, Totals 16 9-14 41.
HODGEMAN CO. (15-6)—Bamberger 5 2-2 13, Morgan Ruff 4 3-3 12, Reece 4 2-3 10, Malloree Ruff 2 0-0 4, Beil 1 2-2 4, Dansel 3 0-0 6, Schaffer 2 0-0 4, Lonnberg 1 3-4 5, Totals 22 13-17 58.
3-pointers—HC 1 (Morgan Ruff 1).
1A DIVISION 1 ST. JOHN—Hodgeman County 58, Macksville 41; Spearville 50, Kinsley 20; Central Plains 54, La Crosse 42; 3-1—St. John 19-1 vs. Hodgeman Co. 15-6, 7:30; 3-1—Spearville 17-3 vs. Central Plains 15-6, 6
