Panther girls fall at Clearwater
CLEARWATER — A late season run by the Concordia High School girls’ basketball team came to an end with a 45-33 loss to the Clearwater High School Indians in the championship game of the Class 4A sub-state tournament last Friday night.
Suffering a 48-40 loss to Sacred Heart back on February 3, Concordia was 6-7.
The Panthers won seven of their next eight games, claimed a share of the North Central Kansas League title, and defeated Pratt 58-49 in the first round of sub-state to advance to the title game.
Clearwater (14-8) extended its winning streak to four straight games by knocking off Concordia.
The Panthers finished up 13-9.
“We started 2-4 before Christmas and after Christmas we went 11-4 from there on out. Our girls being hungry and not being satisfied is the mindset they had,” Concordia coach Trey Kuhlman said.
Concordia scored the first six points but then struggled offensively against Cleawater’s 2-1-2 zone defense.
“Give credit to their defense. That 2-1-2, with their length and size, was difficult for us to get into the paint,” Kuhlman said.
After falling behind 6-0, the Indians tossed in 10 straight points to go up 10-6 and would not trail again.
Taylor McDaniel was able to score inside and then make two free throws to pull Concordia even at 10-10.
McDaniel scored six of her 10 points in the first quarter.
A basket by Allison Clevenger and a three-point shot by Makena Hampton gave Clearwater a 15-10 advantage.
Sophomore Charlize Cash scored with five seconds remaining in the first quarter and got a steal and a layup in the opening minute of the second period to get the Panthers within a point, 15-14.
Cash led the Panthers with 15 points and also had six rebounds and four steals.
With Concordia struggling to hit shots, Clearwater put together an 11-3 run over the next five mintues to extend its lead to 26-17.
“Our girls were ready to catch and shoot, just shots weren’t falling for us,” Kuhlman said.
Concordia finished 11 of 47 from the field for 27 percent and was 3 of 19 from three-point range for 16 percent.
A basket by McDaniel late in the first half left the Panthers trailing 26-19.
Clearwater scored the first two points of the second half, and led 28-19.
Cash buried a three to pull Concordia within six points, 28-22.
Scoring seven straight points, the Indians built a 35-22 lead.
Concordia got within 10 points, 37-27, heading into the fourth quarter.
Carlie Carlgren scored the first two points of the final period to make it a 37-29 game.
Kaylee Hampton scored for Clearwater, and the Panthers answered with a three by Cash to trim the deficit to seven points, 39-32, with 5:51 to play.
Justine Berlin, a 6-0 sophomore who led the Indians with 13 points, scored the next six points to push the lead to 45-32 and put the game out of reach.
“When you have two girls who are 6-0 and can stretch the floor and knock down outside shots they are tough to guard. They will be a tough out at state,” Kuhlman said.
Concordia will lose two seniors off of the team in Carlgren and Jesika Bisnette.
“They made big contributions to this program,” Kuhlman said.
Elizabeth Tjaden scored 12 points for Clearwater.
Clearwater will play in the 4A state tournament this week at the Tony’s Pizze Event Center in Salina.
CONCORDIA (33)
Jessup 1-0-2 3, Carlgren 2-1-3 5, Cash 4-5-1 15, McDaniel 4-2-2 1. Totals: 11-4-8 33.
CLEARWATER (45)
M. Clevenger 1-0-3 3, M. Hampton 1-0-0 3, A. Clevenger 2-2-3 6, Tjaden 4-2-3 12, K, Hampton 4-0-1 8, Berlin 4-1-2 13. Totals: 17-5-12 45.