by Brian Turrel
The Bonner Springs girls basketball team lost to Lansing 64-51 in the quarterfinals of the KSHSAA 5A state tournament played Monday evening in Lansing.
The Lady Braves reached the state tournament in the first year under head coach Peyton Leslie. Leslie credited the players being “more disciplined and consistent with our system” for getting this far in the season. Although the team held only a 4-11 record going into the substate tournament, the Braves defeated higher-seeded teams Schlagle and Sumner to win the substate bracket.
Bonner opened the game with a slight advantage, getting a couple turnovers from its defense and an early three-pointer from Corrie Hassett. However, by midway through the first quarter, Lansing started to push ahead, powered by forward Mackenzie Manth’s drives from the right baseline.
Lansing continued to stretch its lead in the second half. Despite being harried by the Lansing defense, Hassett picked up two more baskets from behind the arc, but they were matched at the other end by two three-pointers from Lady Lions sharpshooter Caitlin Bishop. The Lady Braves trailed 36-23 at the break.
In the third quarter, Bonner relied on drives from forward Mariyah Noel to keep the game within sight. Noel earned three baskets and a pair of free throws in the quarter by pushing fearlessly into the Lansing defense.
Bonner Springs surged in the fourth quarter, bringing the margin from 17 down to 9 with Noel continuing her strong inside presence, but Lansing hit 6 of 9 free throws and got a key three-pointer from McKenzie Moburg to put an end to the comeback.
Noel led Bonner Springs in scoring with 24, including 4-of-4 at the free throw line. Hassett scored 12 points, all from behind the arc.
The Lady Braves will lose senior guards Maggie Myers and Jazmin Graham to graduation, but they’ll return a young core of the team with a lot of height and game experience.
Coach Leslie said after the game, “The sky is the limit for our team next year. Although we came up short this evening, our girls gained valuable experience, and they understand a bit more of what it takes to win in March.”
