Special Season Ends at State for the Lady Panthers

The first round of the 4A Girls State Tournament began on Tuesday, March 10th, for the Lady Panthers. Concordia faced an immediate challenge, as the #8-seeded Lady Panthers took on the #1 seed and defending state champions, the Wellington Crusaders, inside the Garvey Center at Friends University. Despite giving the Crusaders one of their toughest challenges of the season, Wellington was just too much to overcome as the Lady Panthers fell in a heartbreaker, losing 51-43.

The Crusaders entered Tuesday with an impressive 22–1 record, including a 52–41 victory over Concordia on January 24th. Wellington brought plenty of prestige into the matchup, having reached the state championship game in each of the past two seasons. Over the last five years, the Crusaders have compiled a remarkable 113–8 record, earning a state tournament appearance in every one of those seasons. The Lady Panthers, on the other hand, went into the matchup, making their first state tournament appearance since the 2015 season, going into the contest with a solid 14-9 record.

Defense set the tone early as both teams struggled to find their rhythm offensively. The game’s first basket didn’t come until the 3:20 mark of the first quarter, when Junior Jaylin Roush knocked down a three-pointer to end the drought. Roush was named the Swenson Jeardoe Family Farms Player of the Game after leading the Panthers with a team-high 16 points, 8 rebounds, and an assist.

Concordia continued to ride that momentum, building an 8–0 lead early. By the end of the period, the Lady Panthers held a 13–4 lead. The Lady Panthers continued to dominate early in the second quarter, as Concordia built their lead all the way up to 24–8 with just 2:18 remaining in the period.

Following possibly the best half of basketball Concordia had played all season, the girls held a 13-point lead, with the scoreboard showing 26–13 in favor of the Lady Panthers. Concordia held Wellington to shooting just 5-23 in the first half and 0-10 from three while also forcing 10 turnovers.

The second half began much like the first, with both teams struggling to find the basket. With 4:40 remaining in the third period, the two teams had combined for just four total points. It was at that point that the Wellington Crusaders came alive. The final four minutes of the third period showed exactly why they were the #1 seed, as Wellington outscored Concordia 12–2 to close the quarter, cutting the Lady Panthers’ lead to 28–25.

After only 13 turnovers in the 1st half, Concordia finished the game with 30 after the Crusaders picked up the intensity on defense in the 2nd half and never let up. Forcing 17 in the 2nd half.

The fourth period started with Wellington taking their first lead of the game, with the score sitting at 29-28 in their favor. Both teams would continue to trade the lead back and forth. With exactly four minutes remaining, the score sat at a nail-biting 34-34 stalemate. Unfortunately for the Lady Panthers, they would not regain the lead again. Wellington was able to close out the game on a 17-9 run to win by a score of 51-43.

Head Coach Trey Kuhlman joined KNCK Radio in the Pro Techs Pest Control Postgame Show and shared about the emotions of the heartbreaker.

Two Seniors, Rylie Jessup and Charlize Cash end their basketball career in a Lady Panther uniform. Cash was named the Cloud County Cooperator of the Game with 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. Kuhlman spoke about how much they've meant.

Concordia ends the season with a 14-10 overall record and finished 3rd in the North Central Kansas League, a League that sent 4 out of 7 teams to the State tournament. Thanks for tuning in to Lady Panther basketball on KNCK Radio all season long.