The Lady Jaguars beat Salina South High School Cougars, 38-28, in the first round of state on Wednesday, March 6 in Topeka. The team now advances to the semifinals, which means the girls can finish no lower than fourth in the state.
“There are no words to describe [how excited I am],” senior forward Stephanie Lichtenaur said. “I mean, I was jumping up and down every play of the game.”
The Jaguars started the quarter with two three-pointers in a row by senior guard Tanner Tripp. Tripp also had a block and a steal in the quarter. The Cougars scored a layup with 3:14 left in the quarter. Lichtenaur was fouled and made two of two free throws with 1:17 left in the first quarter. The quarter ended with a score of 8-2, Jaguars.
The second quarter was comprised of numerous attempts at three pointers. The first to score in the quarter was the Cougars with two free throws .The Jaguars called a time out with 5:23 left in the quarter bringing the score to 8-7, Jaguars.
The Cougars scored a layup and three pointer to lead the game 10-8 with 2:29 left in the game. Lichtenaur scored a three pointer to finish out the quarter 11-10, Jaguars.
Lichtenaur said that their opponent’s hard defense was a good preparation for the next game.
“This was a really tough team and they had a really tough defense,” Lichtenaur said. “We haven’t seen that tough of defense all year. The were very physical, but we found a way to win it and pull through.”
The third quarter started with a layup by the Cougars. Tripp scored another three to bring the score to 14-12, Jaguars. The Cougars added another two points with 5:34 left in the quarter. Senior guard McKenzie Koch scored two points with the assist by senior forward Brooklyn Sloop. The Cougars added two points and the score tied at 16-16 with 4:00 left in the quarter. Lichtenaur added three points and a free throw which the Cougars returned with two points. The third quarter ended 20-19, Cougars.
Lichtenaur scored the first points of the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 21-20, Jaguars with 6:28 left in the game. Junior forward Carly Eaton was fouled on her shot and added three points with her layup and free throw. Koch followed with being fouled on her layup, adding three points to the score. The score became 27-20, Jaguars with 5:08 left in the game.
South added four points in the next two minutes, tightening the score to 27-24, Jaguars. Koch was fouled and added another point via free throw. Lichtenaur made two of two free throws, bringing the score to 30-24, Jaguars with 1:00 left. The Cougars added two points but threw it to Eaton on the next play, allowing her the break away and a layup.
Lichtenaur added another two free throws, bringing the score to 34-26, Jaguars with 20.6 seconds left. Koch was fouled with 12.1 seconds left, adding two for two free throws. Senior guard Molly Miller was fouled with .2 seconds left in the game and made two free throws.
The Jaguars will play defending state champions Kapaun Mt. Carmel on Friday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Head coach John McFall said that the next game will be tough.
“These are outstanding teams. Kapaun Mt. Carmel is the defending champion. This team from Miege is outstanding,” McFall said. “But hey, everybody here is going to be good. We’re excited to get to play.”
