EMPORIA-The Meriden-Jefferson West girls parlayed a 19-8 first-quarter run into a first-round victory, 51-37 , over the Larned girls here Thursday evening at the 4A Div 2 girls championships. Jarred by the first quarter deficit, Larned spent the rest of the game exchanging runs with the Tigers but could never cut into the lead with much success.
Behind 12 first-half points by Alyssa Garza, Jefferson West built a 29-20 halftime bulge. Coming out after halftime, just as they did at the start of the game, the Tigers went on a run, spurred by Aaliyah Negonsott’s nine straight points, to take a commanding 45-30 lead and coasted home for the victory. Negonsott, Jefferson West’s leading scorer for the season , was held to just two first half points.
The tall and talented Tigers dominated the rebounding, taking a 40-29 advantage for the game along with 9 blocked shots. Time after time Larned was frustrated underneath the basket by the presence of 6’ 3” Mariah Murdie and the 5’10” Garza.
There was a lot of physical play and a lot of contact in the spirited contest, keeping the officials busy and fans of both teams cheering and complaining. Larned’s defense kept the Indians in the game as they created 22 turnovers for the favored Tigers but scoring for the Indians was a chore.
Larned coach Ashley Crosby said, “They were big and tough. We really had a difficult time getting any in-close shots. They are a very good defensive team but I am so proud of my girls, the way they kept battling back. We had a great season and we lost to a very good team.”
Larned shot only 25% from the field, 12 for 48 and only 3 of 16 from the three-point area. The Indians converted 10 of 12 free throws but Jefferson West won that battle too as they made 27 trips to the free throw line, making 17.
Jefferson West was led in scoring by Aaliyah Negonsott with 14, 12 of those in the second half. Alyssa Garza added 12 and the 6’3” Mariah Murdie 8. The Tigers advance into the semifinal round on Friday with a 19-4 record.
Larned finished their season 13-10 under first-year head coach Ashley Crosby. The Indians were led in scoring by Haley Skelton with 11. Ivory Muldrow added 10 and Kelsey Parr 7
Larned 8 12 10 7 – 37
Jeff West 19 10 16 6 – 51
LARNED—Kelsey Parr 2-12 2-4 7; Haley Skelton 3-13 4-4 11; Ivory Muldrow 4-11 2-2 10; Baylea Perez 1-5 0-0 3; Bailey Ritchie 0-2 2-2 2; Jillian Edgin 1-1 0-0 2; Katie Fischer 0-1 0-0 0; Brooke Butler 0-1 0-0 0; Alyssa Clark 1-2 0-0 2; Totals 12-48 10-12 37.
JEFFERSON WEST—A. Negonsott 6-14 1-5 14; Becker 1-4 4-4 6; Garza 5-6 2-3 10; Metzger 1-3 3-4 8; Biltoft 0-0 2-4 2; J. Negonsott 1-3 1-1 3; Totals 16-39 17-27 51.
3-point goals—L 3-16 (Skelton 1-4, Parr 1-8, Perez 1-3, Muldrow 0-1); JW 2-3 (A. Negonsott 1-1, Metzger 1-2). Rebounds—L 29 (Fischer 5); JW 40 (Garza 10, Murdie 10). Assists—L 5 (Skelton 2, Perez 2), JW 10 (Becker 5). Steals—L 10 (Muldrow 4), JW 12 (A. Negonsott 3, Garza 3). TO—L 16, JW 22.
CLASS 4A-DIV. 2 GIRLS
EMPORIA, WHITE AUDITORIUM, FRIDAY
3 p.m.—Jefferson West 19-4 vs. Andale 13-10
6:30 p.m.—Girard 22-1 vs. Scott City 14-9
THURSDAY
Andale 47, Clay Center 36, OT
Meriden-Jefferson West 51, Larned 37
Girard 63, Topeka Hayden 58
Scott City 44, Burlington 40
