WICHITA — Advancing to the sub-state quarterfinals for the first time in over a decade, the Concordia High School girls basketball team fell to the top ranked Wellington 51- 43 to end their spectacular season.
After 4 minutes and 30 seconds off the clock, the Panthers drew first blood on a Jaylin Roush three-pointer as the first quarter saw a brutal defensive battle. A Roush free throw, a Gracyn Weaver layup, and a Stella Trost layup pushed the lead up to eight before Wellington finally scored on an and-one. A pair of Charlize Cash free throws and a Morgan Lister three made it a 13-4 Panther lead to end the first quarter. Wellington started to find their offensive groove in the second quarter, but the Panthers would keep pace, with a layup and jumpers from Roush and Marlee VanMeter, the Panthers led 21-8 halfway through the quarter. Both teams would pace each other 5-5 to end the half, with Concordia holding a 26-13 lead over the number one seed.
A Cash bucket pushed the lead back to 15, but the Crusaders went on a 12-0 run in seven minutes of game time. The Panthers held a fleeting lead, 28-25, entering the fourth quarter with the season on the line.
A 4-0 Wellington opening gave them the lead to start the fourth quarter, but a pair of Roush free throws put the Panthers back on top as a fight for the lead commenced. The game was tied at 34 halfway through the final quarter, with it remaining a one-to-two-possession game until a Crusader fastbreak layup made it a 45- 38 game with 90 seconds to go. The lead grew to nine with 37 seconds to go, but a Roush three-pointer knocked it down to six with 22.6 seconds. Concordia was forced to foul, with Wellington pushing the lead back up to eight, a Weaver putback, but the Crusaders iced the game at the line, and ending the Panthers’ season 51-43.
Roush led in scoringg with 16 points, six rebounds and two assists.
Cash had nine points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals.
VanMeter had six points, three rebounds and an assist.
