BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
HAYS — The Great Bend girls ended a historic 3-game chapter with a 78-31 loss to unbeaten Hays High in Thursday's 5A substate semifinals. The Panthers (6-15) became the first girls team in KSHSAA basketball history to finish a season with three games against unbeaten teams — Hesston (22-0) and Hays (21-0) in back-to-back games.
Panther senior DeShawnna Bryant finished on a high note with a career-tying 13 points with aggressive drives to the basket that produced 7 of 10 free throws. Cassie Ellegood continued strong play down the stretch with six points.
"DeShawnna played good basketball," said Great Bend coach Jade WInter. "She wanted our team to play hard for two more quarters."
Seniors graduating are Bryant, Cassie Ellegood, Jillian Reimer and Jordyn Harbaugh.
"I told our seniors we wouldn't win any of the games we did without them. They played a key role leading our underclassmen and showing them what it's like to play on the varsity level. They've got a good work ethic and strive to win. They work hard every day. I'm excited to see them develop."
Great Bend performed with solid effort, but were overmatched by a Hays team that dominated every aspect of the game.
The unbeaten Indian girls (21-0) own the best record in school history. Hays plays Hutchinson (15-6) Friday vying for the Indians' first state tournament berth since 1996.
Hays features a deep and versatile lineup with efficient perimeter shooting and solid inside offense. The Indians use a variety of defensive schemes, limiting opponents to 32 points per game.
Molly Martin led the Indians with 17 points, 11 in the first quarter. Freshman sensation Jenna Schmeidler scored 15 points and Molly Buckles added 12 points. The Indians converted six 3-pointers to outscore the Panthers 18-3.
The Indians forced 26 Panther turnovers with a mix of full-court pressure and half-court man defense that disrupted the Panthers' offense and fueled a layup drill at the offensive end.
Hays roared to a 22-1 lead keyed by 10 of 13 first-quarter shooting. By halftime, the Indians led 46-18, allowing them to play the second half on cruise control.
Hays bettered its season scoring average of 64-32 with 78 points, one shy of the Indians' 79-points against Junction City.
Great Bend 6 12 9 4 — 31
Hays High 25 21 19 13 —78
GREAT BEND (6-15) (FG 3 FT TP)—Bryant 3-6 (0-1) 7-10 13, Ellegood 2-7 (0-1) 2-6 6, Harbaugh 2-4 (0-1) 0-0 4, Minton 2-2 0-0 4, Mayers 1-4 (1-3) 0-0 3, Meredith Mazouch (0-2) 0-0 0, McCauley (0-1) 0-0 0, Prendergast 0-2 1-2 1, Totals 10-30 (1-9) 10-18 31
HAYS HIGH (21-0) (FG 3 FT TP)—Martin 6-7 (4-4) 1-2 17, Schmeidler 6-11 (1-3) 2-3 15, Buckles 5-6 2-2 12, Humphrey 2-4 (0-2) 2-2 6, Linenberger 4-8 1-2 9, Kenlee Winter 0-3 0-0 0, Armbruster 2-4 (1-3) 0-0 5, Dreher 1-1 0-2 2, Kanak 3-3 0-0 6, Zoe Winter 3-6 0-0 6, Newell 0-4 (0-2) 0-0 0, Totals 32-57 (6-14) 8-13 78
5A GIRLS WEST
HAYS—3-7—CHAMPIONSHIP—High High 21-0 vs. Hutchinson 15-6; SEMIFINALS—Hays 78, Great Bend 31; Hutchinson 60 Andover Central 37
TOPEKA—3-7—CHAMPIONSHIP—Topeka Seaman 21-0 vs. Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel 16-5; SEMIFINALS—Seaman 59, Topeka West 42; Kapaun Mt. Carmel 62, Valley Center 38
ANDOVER—3-7—CHAMPIONSHIP—Andover 20-1 vs. Wichita Carroll 16-5; SEMIFINALS—Andover 56, Goddard Eisenhower 18; Wichita Carroll 49, Salina South 23
ARKANSAS CITY—3-7—CHAMPIONSHIP—Arkansas City 19-2 vs. Maize South 18-3; SEMINFINALS—Arkansas City 44, Goddard 30; Maize South 64, Salina Central 29
