DODGE CITY — Every time the Central Plains Oilers play a girls basketball game, they break another state record.
It was business as usual when the Oilers steamrolled Kensington-Thunder Ridge 78-36 in Friday’s 1A state basketball semifinal to qualify for their sixth straight state championship game. The Oilers play traditional power Hanover in Saturday’s 1A state final.
The Oilers (26-0) extended their state record to 110 consecutive basketball victories. Central Plains extended another state record with its 36th consecutive postseason victory after winning five 2A state titles in a row at Manhattan.
As usual, all-stater Emily Ryan sparked the Oilers with a spectacular night – 33 points, six assists, six rebounds and six steals while anchoring Central Plains’ devastating pressure defense.
Addison Crites scored nine points and Rachel Lamatsch and Delaney Rugan added eight points apiece.
Central Plains delivered 28 assists on 31 of 58 shooting by making the extra pass. It was a team effort as Rachel Lamatschand Kassidy Nixon each passed out five assists. Delaney Ruganhad four assists and Addison Crites and Jennah Jeffrey three apiece.
“They always make the extra pass and share the basketball so well,” said Central Plains coach Pat Stiles. “They were possessions where everyone touched the basketball twice.”
The Oilers sprinted to a 31-9 first-quarter lead by converting 14 turnovers into 16 points with aggressive fullcourt pressure defense. The Oilers made ballhandling and passing a challenge for the Longhorns.
“Our defense as really good. Our kids got them sped up and that really helped us,” Stiles said. “It affected their shooting. They are a good solid basketball team that had been playing really well.”
By halftime, the Oilers led 52-23 with Ryan contributing 27 points.
“Emily is a such a leader, but the girls play off of that,” Stiles said. “The girls always play the right way.”
Thunder Ridge was led by Jaden Boden with 15 points. The Longhorns committed 26 turnovers.
Thunder Ridge 9 14 6 7 – 36
Central Plains 31 21 16 10 – 78
THUNDER RIDGE (21-3)—Jaden Boden 4-8 7-9 15, Brennan Kirchhoff 3-11 0-0 8, Saige Kirchhoff 0-1 0-0 0, Bice 0-1 0-0 0, Stauffer 0-3 3-4 3, Pettijohn 1-7 0-1 3, Hardacre 1-6 0-0 2, Hrabe 1-3 1-2 3, Totals 10-40 12-18 36
CENTRAL PLAINS (26-0)—Emily Ryan 12-15 6-7 33, Crites 4-6 1-2 9, Lamatsch 3-5 0-0 8, Rugan 4-10 0-0 8, Nixon 2-5 1-2 5, Oeser 2-4 0-0 4, Cunningham 1-3 2-2 4, Avery Hurley 2-7 1-2 5, Jeffrey 0-2 0-0 0, Potter 1-1 0-0 2, Totals 31-58 11-15 78
3-pointers—TR 4-18 (B. Kirchhoff 2-7, Hrabe 1-2, Pettijohn 1-7, Bice 0-1, S. Kirchhoff 0-2), CP 5-14 (Ryan 3-5, Lamatsch 2-3, Nixon 0-1, Rugan 0-1, Oeser 0-1, A. Hurley 0-1, Jeffrey 0-2); Rebounds—TR 28 (Hardacre 5), CP 35 (Ryan 6); Assists—TR 6(B. Kirchhoff 3), CP 28 (Ryan 6); Steals—TR 5; CP 20 (Ryan 6). TO—TR 26, CP 12
