Wednesday, March 19, 2025
In a matchup of Twin Valley League rivals, the unbeaten Centralia High School Panthers ground out a 54-43 victory over the Clifton-Clyde High School Eagles in the championship game of the Class 1A-Division I sub-state tournament on March 7.
Clifton-Clyde, suffering a second loss of the season to second-ranked Centralia, finished up 17-6.
“Overall, a very successful season,” Clifton-Clyde coach Kieran Wurtz said,
“We finished 17-6 in arguably the toughest small school league in the state. Our league sent five girls teams to state across three divisions.”
Centralia (23-0) advances to the state tournament being played this week in Dodge City.
The Panthers finished third at state last season.
Spreading the floor and being patient on offense in the rematch, Clifton-Clyde trailed Centralia just 14-13 after one quarter of play.
The Eagles managed just six points in the second period.
Centralia scored 10 points to go up 24-19 at halftime.
The Panthers added 11 points in the third quarter, to eight for Clifton-Clyde, and led 35-27.
Lillian Steinbrock scored the first two points of the fourth quarter, and the Eagles were down just 35-29.
Oen Deters connected on four consecutive free throws to up Centralia’s lead to 39-29.
Sevy Wurtz knocked down a three-point shot to pull the Eagles within seven points, 39-32.
Centralia scored the next four points to grab a 43-32 advantage.
Clifton-Clyde would get no closer than nine points over the final 3:30.
Wurtz led the way for the Eagles with 22 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Mylee Hammond added eight points.
“We will miss our four seniors, Lillian Steinbrock, Mylee Hammond, Rylie Wunderle and Jaydelynn Bowers,” Kieran Wurtz said. “They will go out with 68 total wins in four years. All four were big contributors over the past four seasons.”
Steinbrock finishes her career second in school history in assists and third in steals.
Hammond ranks first in career three-point makes and third in three-point makes in a season.
