By NICHOLAS KIMBALL and DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

Hillsboro is headed to the state tournament this week in Dodge City after the Lady Trojans repeated as sub-state champions by coasting to a 52-26 victory Saturday over Moundridge in Marion.

Savannah Shahan led the team in scoring with 23 points, nine of them from beyond the three-point line.

Zaylee Werth scored 15 of her own.

“I knew we would show up and play well on Saturday night,” Hillsboro coach Micah Ratzlaff said, “but I have to be honest when I say our girls took their game to another level.

“I felt we didn’t defend to the level we are capable of in the semi-finals against Inman, so our coaches challenged this team to pick up the intensity and the focus. Our ability to help and recover, contain the drive, and get to their shooters was key.”

The Trojans kept it close Thursday against Inman, winning 46-40, but had no problems against Moundridge in the championship Saturday.

“On offense, I thought the girls executed well and took care of the ball,” Ratzlaff said. “We shot over 40% from the three and almost 50% from two.

“It was an exciting night, and the Hillsboro community and crowd was amazing, and we appreciate the support. They have been great all year.”

The Trojans (22-1) will head to Dodge City tonight to play against Wichita Independent (19-3) with hopes of advancing to play Friday and Saturday for the state Class 2A title that eluded them last year.

“We look forward to Wednesday and a chance to compete at the state tournament,” Ratzlaff said.

Goessel

Goessel’s girls, the No. 3 seed, came from behind in Class 1A sub-state game on Friday to advance to the finals.

The Bluebirds scored more points in the fourth quarter than they had accumulated in the first three quarters combined.

Goessel and Sylvan-Lucas traded leads in the first quarter, with the score tied at 8. The Mustangs worked the ball in the lane and picked up fouls on the Bluebirds, hitting seven of eight free throws to take a 23-14 lead at halftime.

Abbigail Funk and Logan Bryant each hit a three-pointer in the third quarter, but Goessel trailed 31-21 at the end of the period.

A freak injury at the buzzer caused a 20-minute pause in the game, as medical personnel arrived to take care of an injured Sylvan-Lucas player.

When the fourth quarter resumed, the Mustangs stretched their lead to 35-23, but the Bluebirds began a comeback.

With 6:52 left, Greta Scholle hit a basket and a free throw. She then connected on a long-range three, and Cheyenne Sawyer converted a basket.

Logan Bryant hit a shot from the lane and Abbigail Funk drained a three-pointer.

The Mustangs appeared flustered with Goessel’s trapping Bluebird defense, drove into the lane, and picked up fouls.

In two-minute span, Abbigail Funk went to the free throw line for eight shots and connected on five of them, giving the Bluebirds a 42-40 lead.

The Mustangs had to foul to stop the clock, and Sawyer connected on two of four free throw attempts, giving the Bluebirds a 44-41 lead. With 10 seconds left in the game, Scholle connected on one of two free throws to put the game out of reach. Goessel won, 45-41.

Scholle had 15 points; Abbigail Funk, 12; Aimee Funk, 7; Logan Bryant, 7; and Cheyenne Sawyer 4.

In the finals on Saturday, Goessel faced an undefeated Little River team.

The game started slowly, with both teams missing attempts at the basket. The first quarter ended with Little River ahead 13-5.

Little River scored 12 unanswered points to start the second quarter. Goessel played scrappy defense, but the much-taller Little River team controlled rebounds. The first half ended with Goessel trailing, 32-13.

The third and fourth quarters continued Little River’s dominance. The Bluebirds broke pressure defense and challenged for loose balls but ended up losing, 56-32, and finishing the season 16-7.

Aimee Funk scored 9; Abbigail Funk, 7; Logan Bryant, 5; and Greta Scholle 5.