CHS suffers 52-27 league loss to Tigers

CLAY CENTER — A scoring drought of nearly 13 minutes was too much for the Concordia Panthers to overcome in a 52-27 North Central Kansas League loss to the Clay Center Tigers Tuesday night.
Looking for consecutive wins for the first time this season, the Panthers led Clay Center 7-6 just over midway through the first quarter.
Concordia would not score again until 1:40 had gone by in the third period.
Clay Center tossed in 20 points during that stretch to open up a 23-7 advantage and would not allow the Panthers to make a second half run.
“We started out great. It was 10-7 after the first quarter. We just didn’t respond well. We didn’t come out with any energy. We let them control the game,” Concordia coach Trey Kuhlman said.
Concordia, 1-5 overall and 1-2 in league play heading into the semester break, fell behind 6-2 to start the game.
A basket by Taylor McDaniel and a three-point shot by Charlize Cash put the Panthers up 7-6.
Scoring four points over the final 2:35 of the first quarter, Clay Center grabbed a 10-7 lead.
The Tigers shut out Concordia in the second stanza, and scored 13 points to extend that lead to 23-7 at halftime.
“We have got to look to attack more. Be more aggressive,” Kuhlman said. “We got plenty of open shots, we have just got to capitalize. We have got to have all five girls, when they step on the floor, being a threat. Looking to attack and score.”
A three-point basket by Mackenzie Weller 1:10 into the second half put Clay Center on top 26-7.
Cianna DeLeon knocked down a three for Concordia.
Weller connected on another three, and Clay Center had a 29-10 cushion.
Hattie Blackwood hit a three and then a 15-foot jumper on consecutive possessions, and the Panthers trailed 29-15.
Clay Center thwarted a Concordia comeback by scoring the final nine points of the third quarter to make it a 38-15 game.
Hailee Bent made a three-point shot early in the fourth quarter, and the Tigers led 41-15.
Four straight points by DeLeon and a bucket by Carlie Carlgren got the Panthers within 20 points, 41-21.
Weller hit a jumper for Clay Center.
Erinae Flesher scored on a drive and Cash made two free throws as Concordia made it a 43-25 game with 4:30 to play.
That is as close as the Panthers would get the rest of the way.
Cash led Concordia with nine points. DeLeon added seven points.
Bent pumped in 17 points for Clay Center. Weller and Ayla Johnson finished with 10 points each.
Concordia is now off until a home game against Republic County on January 3.
“We have had sick girls. A few that have been hurt, not making excuses by any means, other teams have that as well, but I think a nice little break will help them out. I told them they have got to put in extra time outside of practice,” Kuhlman said. “We are proud of the way they are playing.”

CONCORDIA (27)
DeLeon 3-0-4 7, Flesher 1-0-2 2, Carlgren 1-0-1 2, Blackwood 2-0-0 5, Cash 3-2-2 9, Meyer 0-0-1 0, McDaniel 1-0-0 2. Totals: 11-4-11 27.
CLAY CENTER (52)
Weller 4-0-0 10, Bent 5-3-2 17, Pfizenmaier 0-0-1 0, Wright 2-0-0 5, Crimmins 0-0-1 0, Smith 1-0-1 2, Johnson 5-0-1 10, McDonald 4-0-1 8. Totals: 21-3-7 52.