Concordia Girls Fall at Home to Smoky Valley, 46-40

The Concordia High School Girls Basketball team struggled in the third quarter of a 46-40 home loss to the Smoky Valley Vikings in non-league play Friday, December 8th.

Concordia came out firing, jumping up by as much as six points on two separate occasions after Sophomore Wing Charlize Cash knocked down two three-pointers in the first quarter.  Smoky Valley, though, found a way to capitalize on nine first period turnovers on the Panthers to tie the game at 12 heading to the second quarter.

Defensively, the Panthers managed to hold the Vikings to four points despite committing an additional nine turnovers in the second frame.  Cash scored 14 points for Concordia in the first-half, pushing the Panthers in front 20-16 at the intermission.

Smoky Valley grabbed their first lead of the ballgame early in the second half.  The Lady Vikings opened the third period on an 11-0 run, aided by five more turnovers by Concordia.  Smoky Valley led by as much as 11 before settling for a nine point lead, 35-26, moving to the fourth.

For the third straight game, Concordia outscored its opponent over the final eight minutes, closing to within four points in the closing seconds before running out of time.

Concordia outrebounded Smoky Valley 33-24 and held the Vikings to 0-of-8 shooting from behind the arc, but ended the night with 28 turnovers.

Cash finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals.  Charlize was named our Nex-Tech Wireless MVP of the Game.

Junior Taylor McDaniel had 7 points and 4 rebounds.

Freshman Jaylin Roush came off the bench to score 6 points, pull down 2 rebounds and record a steal and a blocked shot.  Roush was named the recipient of our H&R Block of the Game.

Senior Carlie Carlgren added 4 points and 8 rebounds.  Junior Kenlee Williams had 2 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.

Falling to 0-3 overall, the Lady Panthers will open North Central Kansas League play at home on Tuesday, December 12th against the Marysville Bulldogs.  Marysville is 2-2 on the year and 0-1 in North Central Kansas League play after dropping a 49-38 home game to the Clay Center Tigers on Friday.  Tipoff to Tuesday's game is scheduled for 6 pm.  Live coverage of the game can be heard on 1390 KNCK, 98.3 FM and NCKToday.com.