The Olpe Lady Eagles routed the Spearville Lady Lancers 56-32 in the first round of the 2A State Basketball Tournament in Manhattan.
Olpe would jump out to an early 8-2 lead limiting Spearville’s scoring opportunities to free throws. Late in the first Spearville would convert on two more trips to the charity stripe to come within two, and would tie the game 8-8 before Olpe regained the lead at the end of the first 10-8. Olpe would never trail and despite a 10-5 third quarter by the Lancers, Spearville would never come closer than 11 points, and a 17-4 run in the fourth would seal the victory for Olpe.
Olpe was led in scoring by senior Briana Vogts with 28 points.
Olpe Head Coach Jesse Nelson says his team struggled in the third quarter, but managed to regain their composure in the fourth.
Spearville was led in scoring by sophomore Ehlaina Hartman with 12 points.
Olpe will next face Valley Heights in the 2A state semi-finals Friday at 6:30 p.m. Valley Heights defeated West Elk 50-33.
Other the 1st round games at 2A Central Plains out scored Inman 55-30. Hill City slipped past Pittsburgh Colgan-St. Marys 50-49 in overtime.
At the 1A Division II tournament Northern Valley defeated Waverly boys 63-22.
At the 1A Division I tournament ST. John-Hudson defeated Southern Coffey County boys 49-35.
At the 3A tournament Maur Hill out scored Council Grove boys 59-56.
At the 4A Division II tournament, being played at Emporias White Auditorium. In girls first round action:
Marysville defeated Nickerson 58-45.
Andale out scored Hayden 59-41
Number 1 seed Baldwin defeated Frontenac 86-46.
Hugoton was a 58-45 winner over Baxter Springs.
There were a couple of upsets at the 5A boys tournament. Number 8 seed Mill Valley defeated number 1 seed Goddard Eisenhower 68-64.
Salina Central the 6th seed upset number 3 seed Wichita Heights 54-46.
More first round games to be played Thursday.
The Burlingame boys play Salina Sacred Heart at the 2A tournament in Manhattan. Coach Creighton Winters Bearcats finished in 3rd place at the 1A Division I tournament last year.
Burlingame plays the defending 2A State Champions Salina Sacred Heart. Coach Winters says they will need to be at their best.
Tip-off is set for 8:15p. The game will be broadcast on Country 101.7FM.
The Hartford girls play Hutchinson Central Christian in the 4:45 game at the 1A Division II tournament at Dodge City. Coach Ryan Thomas says it has been a good season already for Hartford.
The boys play their first round games at the 4A Division II tournament to be played at White Auditorium.
3pm Andale vs Smoky Valley
4:45 Marysville vs Topeka Hayden
6:30p Holcomb vs Frontenac
