by Brian Turrel
Coach Dominique Washington challenged the Bishop Ward Lady Cyclones after a half of being outplayed and outmuscled by the Hiawatha Redhawks. He reminded them of the obstacles and adversity they had faced all season and how they had come through.
“It’s up to you. It’s up to you to dig this one out. Get yourself out of the hole. I guarantee you we will advance,” Washington recalled after the game. “And that’s what they did. We came out strong.”
The team responded to Washington’s challenge, and Bishop Ward came back from an 11-point second quarter deficit to beat Hiawatha in the 3A KSHSAA sub-state playoffs, 49-45.
Bishop Ward went on a run in the third quarter, pulling even with the Redhawks with about 5 minutes to go in the querter. Hiawatha didn’t relent, and the two teams traded leads throughout the second half. Trapping defense with active hands on the ball and the ball-handler prevented any easy plays by either team.
The vocal Ward fans weren’t able to exhale until 4.2 seconds remained in the contest. With Ward up by 3, Jimena Lopez was knocked to the ground in the Redhawks’ last-chance attempt to regain possession. Lopez hit the second of two free throws for a 4-point lead, eliminating Hiawatha’s chance for a game-tying buzzer-beater.
Lopez finished the game with 18 points, 16 in the second half. She hit key baskets on drives in the third quarter, and made 4 of 7 free throws in the closing minutes to keep Ward ahead. Tina Rosales scored 10, and Perla Frayre-Delgado added 8.
Ward advances to the 3A sub-state semi-finals on Friday. The sub-state semi-finals and finals are being held at Hiawatha High School. Ward will face off against the Sabetha Lady Bluejays, tipping off at 6 p.m.
Other local playoff action:
3A: Bishop Ward boys lost to Marysville 63-25.
4A: Piper girls defeated Ottawa 64-36.
5A: Turner boys lost to Basehor-Linwood 70-40.
Schlagle boys lost to De Soto 68-62.
Washington boys defeated St. James Academy. They move on to play at De Soto in the sub-state final on Friday at 7 p.m.
Bonner Springs boys lost to Topeka West 71-54.
6A: Harmon girls lost to Olathe North 79-12.
