SALINA — One win from advancing to the Class 5A state tournament in Topeka, the third-seeded Great Bend High School Lady Panthers battled No. 2 seed Salina South throughout on Friday night in a sub-state championship game.
But Salina South, which led 23-17 at halftime, went on a 21-17 run in a decisive third quarter and went on to post a 56-46 victory.
Salina South (16-5) advances to the state tournament at the Kansas Expocentre, which starts on Thursday.
Great Bend, featuring a lineup with all underclassmen and first-year head coach Carrie Minton, closes its season with an impressive 14-7 record after enduring a nightmarish 3-18 campaign last season.
Emilee Holloway hit a pair of 3-pointers, and Cassidy Cook scored six points during the Lady Cougars' third-quarter surge.
Great Bend, led by Morgan Harwood with 12 points and Regan Unruh with 10, outscored South 15-12 in the final period but came up shy.
Tarynn Stueder added eight points and McKenna Mauler scored seven for the Lady Panthers.
GAME NOTES — GBHS was bidding for its first state tournament berth since the 2008-09 season, when it knocked off Salina South for the sub-state crown. ... The Lady Panthers, under former head coach Jason Tatkenhorst, who left for Basehor-Linwood after last season, entered state play as the No. 8 seed. They beat Liberal and Emporia at the state tourney before falling to Bishop Miege in the state championship game.
Check out Sunday's Tribune for a complete game package.
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Class 5A Sub-State
Basketball Tournament
GIRLS
Friday
At Salina
Salina South High School
Championship
No. 2 seed Salina South 56, No. 3 Great Bend 46
GREAT BEND (14-7)
Lauren Welsch 0 1-2 1, Hannah Hildebrand 0 2-2 2, Kelsie Doll 2 0-0 6, Kylee Spray 0 0-0 0, Regan Unruh 3 3-4 10, Kaylie Doll 0 0-0 0, McKenna Mauler 3 1-1 7, Tarynn Stueder 3 1-3 8, Morgan Harwood 5 2-2 12, Madison Unruh 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 10-14 46.
SALINA SOUTH (16-5)
Janai Mitchell 4 7-9 15, Teryn Holloway 0 0-0 0, Megan Holloway 4 1-2 9, Emilee Holloway 2 7-10 13, Emily Webb 1 2-2 5, Cassidy Cook 7 0-1 14, Bayli Humman 0 0-0 0, McKenzie Haynes 0 0-0 0 Totals 18 17-24 56.
Great Bend 7 10 14 15 — 46
Salina South 14 9 21 12 — 56
Three-point goals — Great Bend 4 (Kel. Doll 2, Stueder, Mauler); Salina South 3 (E. Holloway 2, Emily Webb); Total fouls — Great Bend 19, Salina South 14, Fouled out — None.
