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Top-seeded Tigers top Panthers, 57-26

CLAY CENTER — Top-seeded Clay Center went wire to wire in defeating the Concordia Panthers 57-26 in the first round of the Class 3A sub-state tournament Monday night.
Hailey Franson knocked down a three-point shot 55 seconds into the game, and Clay Center would never trail.
The Tigers would connect on 8 of 20 three-point attempts on their way to the win over the eighth-seeded Panthers.
“They are the top seed for a reason,” Concordia coach Michael Wahlmeier said, “And they definitely hit their shots. The games that they had lost they shot the ball really poorly, but they got that turned around for us.”
Clay Center (16-4) advances to the tournament semifinals, and will play fifth-seeded St. Marys (10-9) at 6 p.m. Thursday at Riley County High School.
St. Marys downed fourth-seeded Council Grove 65-48 in the opening round.
Second-seeded Beloit knocked off seventh-seeded Rock Creek 50-37 and third-seeded Riley County got past sixth-seeded Marysville, 53-48.
Concordia finished up its season 3-17.
“We went through our moments where we let our frustration kind of dictate, especially on the defensive end, how we played. But they were a fun group to coach,” Wahlmeier said.
The Panthers trailed Clay Center just 5-4 when senior Katlynn Miller scored on a drive with 5:30 to play in the first quarter.
Back to back threes by Lexi Liby and Addy Mullin and a basket by Clara Edwards gave the Tigers a 13-4 advantage.
Mullin knocked down four threes on her way to scoring a game high 19 points.
A three-point play by Karlee Wahlmeier pulled Concordia within six points, 23-7.
Clay Center scored the next six points to extend the lead to 19-7.
A jumper by Miller left the Panthers trailing 19-9 heading into the second quarter.
The two teams traded baskets, and then Clay Center went on a 6-0 spurt to open up a 27-11 advantage.
Concordia went over four minutes without a field goal.
“We just needed to hit more shots,” Wahlmeier said, “Some of those are right around the basket. Against a good defensive team like Clay Center you kind of rush your shots.”
Concordia finished the game 9 of 38 from the field for 24 percent and 8 of 17 from the free throw line for 47 percent.
The Panthers would get within 14 points, 29-15, when Zoe Bechard went one of two from the line.
A three by Liby put Clay Center up 32-15 at halftime.
The Tigers opened the second half with a 12-3 run to make it a 44-18 game..
Concordia would get no closer than 24 points the rest of the way.
Miller led the Panthers with eight points, all in the first half.
Wahlmeier scored seven points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Panthers.
Edwards and Maddie Craig scored 10 points each for Clay Center.

CONCORDIA (26)
Bechard 0-1-2 1, E. Wahlmeier 0-0-4 0, Reynolds 0-3-1 3, Conway 0-0-2 0, Strait 1-2-0 4, K. Wahlmeier 3-1-1 7, Rundus 1-1-4 3, Miller 4-0-4 8. Totals: 9-8-18 26.
CLAY CENTER (57)
Franson 1-0-2 3, Liby 2-2-1 8, Crimmins 0-0-2 0, Craig 3-3-2 10, Henry 0-0-2 0, Mullin 6-3-2 19, M. Hammel 1-0-2 2, Edwards 4-2-3 10, E. Hammel 2-1-2 5. Totals: 19-11-18 57.

 

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