By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural's girls, who have advanced to the Class 6A championship game three straight seasons, put themselves in position to earn another trip to state with a 72-26 semifinal victory over Lawrence Free State Wednesday night at Rural.
Washburn Rural sophomore Gracie Hayes scored 18 points on six 3-pointers in Wednesday's 72-26 Class 6A sub-state semifinal win over Free State. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
The Junior Blues, now 15-6, took control with a 20-5 first quarter and opened up a 45-12 advantage over the Firebirds (3-18). Rural led 63-21 at the start of the fourth quarter, forcing a running clock over the final eight minutes.
Sophomore Gracie Hayes had a big night for Rural, hitting six 3-pointers to lead the Junior Blues with 18 points.
Senior Kate Hinck scored 10 points in Wednesday's 72-26 Washburn Rural sub-state semifinal win over Free State. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural sophomore Maddie Vickery scored 10 points in Wednesday's 72-26 sub-state win over Free State. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
Senior Kate Hinck and sophomores Brooklyn Rutherford and Maddie Vickery added 10 points apiece while junior Ella Hirschi added nine points.
With Wednesday's win the Junior Blues advanced to Saturday's 3:30 p.m. sub-state championship game to host Centennial League rival Manhattan, a 51-27 winner over Maize.
The Junior Blues and Indians will be playing for the third time this season, with Rural winning the first two meetings.
Undefeated Hi Park boys take 72-51 win over Bears
Highland Park, the top Class 5A East boys seed, improved to 21-0 on the season with a 72-51 home semifinal win over No. 16 Kansas City-Turner Wednesday night.
The Scots, third in 5A the past two seasons, will host Basehor-Linwood on Saturday in a 5 p.m. sub-state final at Highland Park.
The Bobcats advanced to the championship game with a 44-37 win over Spring Hill.
Silver Lake boys survive Osage City rally, 64-62
Silver Lake's boys built a double-digit advantage over Osage City Wednesday night and needed every bit of it, holding on for a 64-62 home sub-state semifinal decision over the Indians.
The Eagles led 15-11 at the end of the opening quarter and led 31-25 at the half and 50-38 at the start of the fourth quarter before Osage City rallied behind a 24-14 fourth-quarter rally.
Junior Dayne Johnson led Silver Lake with 18 points while Jared Johnson added 16 points and Brody Deiter 14.
No. 4 sub-state seed Silver Lake will play for a Class 3A sub-state title on Saturday, facing No. 8 Sabetha in a 6:30 p.m. game at Hiawatha.
Sabetha advanced to the final with a 77-75 overtime win over No. 1 seed St. Marys.
Rossville upset bid falls short, 49-45
Rossville's girls pushed top seed Wabaunsee throughout Wednesday's Class 2A sub-state semifinal, dropping a 49-45 nail-bite at Wabaunsee.
Wabaunsee jumped out to a 19-6 first-quarter advantage, but the Bulldawgs answered with a 15-5 second quarter to cut their halftime deficit to 24-21.
Rossville cut the Chargers' lead to 36-35 at the start of the fourth quarter before Wabaunsee held off the Bulldawgs with a 13-10 fourth quarter.
Junior Rylee Dick led Rossville with 19 points, including with three 3-pointers, while sophomore Nora Burdiek added 15 points.
