Girls Season Ends In Semi-Final Game
Hoxie Just Too Strong
The St. Francis Lady Indians lost to the Hoxie Lady Indians in the semi-final game of the 1A Substate Tournament in Quinter on Friday, March 2. The very talented Hoxie team dominated the contest from the start.
The first two Hoxie scores were a result of Lady Indian turnovers. Hoxie converted both into baskets for a 0-5 lead at 6:38. Aly Schlepp scored for St Francis off a nice pass from Jenna Hill to bring the score to 2-5. Then Hoxie scored 12 unanswered points, many resulting from St. Francis turnovers. Hoxie led 2-17 before St. Francis scored again; a free throw at 3:43. An assist from Clarice Neitzel to Kaitlin Figgins resulted in the second Lady Indian basket at 2:44 (5-20). Hoxie answered, and Figgins scored again on a nice post move. Aly Schlepp scored the final Lady Indian basket of the first period on a well-executed out-of-bounds play to bring the score to 9-24. Hoxie led 9-28 after one period of play.
The Hoxie Lady Indians opened the second quarter with a quick trey and then went on a 35-2 run. Hoxie led by thirty (9-39) with more than six minutes left in the period. St. Francis rarely attempted a field goal in the second period due to numerous turnovers and often rushed the shot when one was taken due to the pressure defense applied by Hoxie. Kyla Bandel scored on an out-of-bounds play at 4:39 to bring the score to 11-44. With the game in full command, Hoxie no longer pressed after the 4:39 mark in the second stanza. The Lady Indians trailed 11-57 at halfitme.
In the third period, Hoxie led by fifty points, 11-61, before Kaitlin Figgins scored at the 5:24 mark. Laura Brunk connected on a trey at 3:06 to bring the score to 16-66. Hoxie led 22-73 after three periods of play.
The fourth quarter was played under a running clock due to the 30-point rule. St. Francis lost to a very skilled Hoxie team 26-77.
Kaitlin Figgins and Kyla Bandel each scored 6 points for the Lady Indians. St. Francis was 3 of 4 from the free throw line.
Hoxie had four players in double figures: Gabriel Spresser (so.) 17, Kristina Farber (so.) 14, Shelby Heim (sr.) 14, and Carly Heim (fr.) 14. The Hoxie Lady Indians were 14 of 17 from the charity stripe.
The loss brings the season to a close for the St. Francis Lady Indians. The Lady Indians compiled a season record of 5-16.
Hoxie won the championship of the 1A tournament by defeating Quinter 59-22 to advance to the 1A - Division I State Tournament in Emporia, Kansas. Hoxie (21-1; seeded #1) will play Lost Spings-Centre in the first round of state tournament action.
