Lady Jayhawks suffer substate loss despite winning season

Jayhawk senior Brooklyn Bogan drives through the Central Heights defense to score on a jump shot in a game earlier this season. The Jayhawks easily handled the Vikings in their first round at substate. (Journal file photo)

PLEASANTON – Leap Year Day proved to be anything but special for the Jayhawk-Linn girls varsity team as they ended their otherwise solid season with a loss in the semi-final 2A substate basketball game against Marantha Christian Academy at Pleasanton on Thursday, Feb. 29.

The Lady Jayhawks, the No. 1 seed in the tournament, finished their season with a 17-5 record after overpowering eighth-seed Central Heights 54-32 in the opening round but falling to the Marantha Eagles 52-43.

The Jayhawks and the Eagles seemed evenly matched in the first quarter with the ‘Hawks just two points down going into the second period. But the Eagles outscored the Jayhawks 15-3 in the second quarter, and the halftime score was 26-12.

The Jayhawks came back to life in the third quarter, but the Eagles still were able to outscore them 13-10.

In a last ditch effort final quarter to extend their season, the ‘Hawks made a 21-13 run, scoring nearly half of their game points in that period. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit, and the Eagles advanced to the final round.

Marantha wasn’t as lucky in the substate championship game, where they were hammered 60-26 by second-seed Eureka (19-4). Eureka advances to the 2A State Girls Championship in Dodge City on Wednesday as seventh seed where they will face second-seeded St. Mary’s Colgan (23-0).

Jayhawk head girls coach Chris Thomas, from left, and assistant coach Shelby Krull discuss strategy with Karsyn Kempinger, Brooklyn Bogan, Brenlyn Bogan, and Brilyn Bogan during a time out earlier this season. (Journal file photo)