Lengthy Scoring Drought in First Half Dooms Concordia in 52-27 Road Loss to Clay Center

The Concordia High School Girls Basketball team was held scoreless in the second quarter and experienced a tough shooting night in a 52-27 road loss to the Clay Center Tigers in North Central Kansas League play on Tuesday, December 20th.

A three-point make late in the first quarter by Freshman Charlize Cash gave Concordia a 7-6 lead.  Then, Clay Center started to get into a rhythm offensively, with shots starting to fall from the outside.  That, combined with a Panthers scoring drought that lasted over ten minutes turned a one point lead into a 16 point deficit at the halftime break.

Despite a stronger second-half showing, Concordia was never able to recover, suffering a loss in the team's final game before the holiday break.

Cash led Concordia with 9 points and 11 rebounds and was named our Nex-Tech Wireless MVP of the Game.  Senior Cianna DeLeon had 7 points and 5 rebounds, receiving our H&R Block of the Game.  Junior Hattie Blackwood added 5 points.

The Tigers have won four of their last five to improve to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in North Central Kansas League play.  Clay Center had four players finish in double-figures.  Senior Hailee Bent scored 9 of her game-high 17 points in the second quarter, connecting on three shots from behind the arc.  Senior Mackenzie Weller and Sophomores Ayla Johnson and Reagann McDonald all posted 10 points in the win.

Clay Center forced Concordia into 17 turnovers and out-rebounded the Panthers 35-30.

Concordia enters the holiday break at 1-5 overall and 1-2 in NCKL action.  The Panthers will have 14 days off before tipping off a three-game homestand on Tuesday, January 3rd against the 0-5 Republic County Buffaloes.

Listen to audio highlights from Concordia's 52-27 road loss to Clay Center: