CENTRAL PLAINS 62, OLPE 51
Class 2A final
Olpe 8 13 16 14 — 51
Central Plains 16 11 25 10 — 62
Olpe—Kelsey Hendricks 6-10 2-2 17; Colleen Smith 5-11 4-4 16; Brianna Vogts 3-6 3-6 10; Emma Miller 1-1 2-2 4; McKenzie Barnard 0-3 2-2 2; Jade Cole 1-1 0-0 2; Jessica Klumpe 0-0 0-2 0; Totals 16-32 14-18 51.
CP—Janae Ryan 7-11 2-2 22; Taylor Rolfs 6-11 4-4 16l Cassidy Crites 5-5 0-0 10; Reagan Phelan 2-9 4-5 8; Kylee Kasselman 1-4 4-4 6; Kendi Maxwell 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 21-31 14-16 62.
3-pointers—3-point goals 5-13 (Hendricks 3-7, Smith 2-6); CP 6-19 (Ryan 6-10, Maxwell 0-1, Rolfs 0-3, Phelan 0-5). Rebounds—Olpe 24 (Vogts 7), CP 18 (Crites 4). Assists—Olpe 5 (Hendricks 3), CP 7 (Phelan 4). Steals—Olpe 5 (Miller 3), CP 9 (Phelan 4).
MANHATTAN - Central Plains' third consecutive Class 2A state basketball championship was secure when point guard Reagan Phelan showed off her Harlem Globetrotters dribbling skills.
Moments before, all-stater Taylor Rolfs was congratulated on the bench before all-stater Phelan joined her for a celebration after the Oilers' 62-51 victory over Olpe that clinched their third consecutive Class 2A state basketball championship.
The No. 1 ranked Oilers (26-0) finished with a perfect 9-0 record and three consecutive Class 2A championships at Bramlage Coliseum.
"It was a fun game," said Central Plains coach Pat Stiles. "Our kids refuse to lose. It really helps they have that will to win. It's been a privilege to coach these girls."
Central Plains' Janae Ryan dominated with a career high six 3-pointers in a 22-point night off excellent passing.
"Janae has a great work ethic and I was so glad to see her shoot it so well," Stiles said. "She shoots it really well when we move the ball inside and back outside."
Phelan controlled the tempo brilliantly with four steals and four assists, half of what she she should've been credited with.
"Reagan is so strong and sees the court so well," Stiles said. "She sets our tempo. We knew if we could rebound, we had a good chance at pushing the ball upcourt. We wanted to push the ball up the court."
Ryan drilled a trio of 3-pointers in each half to spark the Oilers' perimeter offense. Taylor Rolfs dominated inside with 16 points. Cassidy Crites started a 10-point night with six first-quarter points. Phelan scored eight points and dictated the game with her ballhandling and passing.
The Oilers converted 21 of 41 field goals and 14 of 16 free throws. Ryan made all six of the Oilers' 3-pointers,
Ryan ignited a 16-8 first quarter with a pair of 3-pointers. The Oilers led 27-21 at halftime when Olpe's Kelsey Hendricks and Colleen Smith sparked a brief rally.
The Oilers played their best basketball in three state tournament games with a 25-point third quarter keyed by stunning 11 of 14 shooting. Time after time, the Oilers made the extra pass and a teammate would convert a basket. Rolfs and Ryan each converted four baskets in the third period for a 52-37 lead after three quarters.
"The girls wanted to pressure them some and we forced a turnover or two," Stiles said. "We are much better in a fast-paced game."
Hendricks finished with 17 points and Smith added 16 points as they sparked Olpe's quick-strike offense. The Eagles made 16 of 32 field goals and 14 of 18 free throws.
