The Olpe Lady Eagles and Lebo Wolves are state tournament bound following sub-state championship wins at White Auditorium Saturday.
The Lady Eagles managed to pass their biggest test of the season as they outlasted Berean Academy en route to a 56-51 victory.
It was a back and forth game from the start with three separate lead changes in the first minute and a half alone. Olpe would trail at the end of the first quarter before establishing a two-point lead heading into the half.
Olpe would fall behind late in the fourth quarter before a 6-0 in the final minutes would the Lady Eagles secure their place in Dodge City next week. Olpe was led in scoring by senior Neleh Davis with 20 points.
Head Coach Jesse Nelson says his team simply refused to lose.
In the boy’s game, Lebo would manage to break a close contest wide open in the second half to pick up a 66-55 victory over Central Christian.
Lebo would open the scoring in the first quarter with a 6-0 run before the Cougars would answer back with a 7-0 run of their own and the two teams tied at 16 heading into the second. Lebo would again go on an early unanswered run, and despite another quick response from Central Christian would manage to take a one-point 28-27 lead into the half.
In the second, Lebo would outscore Central 16-7 in the third and 22-21 in the fourth en route to their second straight state tournament appearance.
Head Coach Dwayne Paul says his team stayed the course.
Lebo was led in scoring by senior Devan McEwen with 23 points.
