GREAT BEND 60, HIGHLAND PARK 39

LAWRENCE — Lauren Welsch scored a career high 32 points to spark the Panther girls past Topeka Highland Park 60-39 Friday at the Free State Firebird Classic. The Panthers (8-3) play SM East for fifth place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Welsch sparked an 18-5 second-quarter run with 19 first-half points for a 32-20 halftime lead. Welsch converted 10 of 19 field goals and 4 of 6 3-point goals. The Panthers made 21 of 44 field goals, 11 of 22 the first half. Welsch added 13 second-half points. Carley Brack added 16 points.
“I’m really happy and proud of Lauren. We emphasized getting the ball down the floor and that led to several layups,” said Great Bend coach Carrie Minton. “That’s was a very good offensive game. The girls did a very good job of executing today.”
Amari Barksdale led the Scots with 13 points.
GREAT BEND 60, HIGHLAND PARK 39
Great Bend 14 18 12 16 — 60
Highland Park 11 9 13 6 — 39
GB—Welsch 32, Brack 16, Dreiling 6, Burkhart 4, Dunekack 2.
HP—Amari Barksdale 13, Jones 7, Kuhn 6, Clark 5, Sanders 4, Carter 2, Battle 2.