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Lady Cougars put up valiant effort against Olpe

By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Not every school gets to play the top-ranked team in the state. But that was the case Friday at Centre High School, as Olpe came calling.

The undefeated Eagles and Lady Eagles both are ranked number one in 1A in the state.

The Lady Cougars gave Olpe a run for their money.

Selena Seifert and Alyssa Luna combined for six points in the opening minutes of the game. Megan Gutsch scored on an assist from Teaira Turner and followed up with a long field goal after an Olpe turnover to give Centre its first lead, 10-9, with 1:25 remaining in the quarter.

On an assist from Seifert, Luna made a layup and, after another Olpe turnover, Turner nailed a three-pointer to give Centre a six-point lead, 15-9, at the end of the quarter.

The Lady Eagles gradually crept up on the Lady Cougars in the second quarter, tying the game at 22-all with 2:55 remaining in the half.

Centre held Olpe to just two more points while Alisha Barney and Seifert completed three-point shots and Turner made a running layup to give the Lady Cougars a surprising 30-24 halftime lead.

Centre's shooting turned cold in the third quarter, however, and Olpe scored three three-pointers, including one as the horn sounded, to put the Lady Eagles ahead 41-34.

The Lady Cougars continued to play with spirit in the fourth, closing the gap to six points, 41-47, with four minutes remaining in the game.

The final stretch proved deadly as Olpe completed 10 free throws and a field goal compared to eight points by Centre, to win by 10 points, 59-49. It was the Lady Cougars' fourth loss of the season.

Despite the loss, the girls were complimented for putting up a valiant fight and playing a good game.

Both teams scored 41 points from the floor. Centre completed 13 two-point shots and five three-point shots compared to 16 two-point shots and three three-point shots by Olpe.

The difference came at the free-throw line. Olpe was 18-of-25 compared to 8-of-16 by Centre.

Seifert led Centre's scoring with 18 points, followed by Luna with 10. Turner scored eight points, Gutsch seven, and Kylie Burhoop and Barney three each.

Solomon

The Lady Cougars defeated Solomon Feb. 6 at home, 56-43, after defeating the Lady Bombers on the road a week earlier.

The game remained close until halfway through the second quarter, after which Centre gained a five-point lead.

A full-court press by the aggressive Lady Cougars caused the Lady Gorillas to turn the ball over numerous times.

Gutsch and Luna combined for 13 points along with four by Burhoop and two by Brooke Carlson to give Centre a commanding 41-29 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was a draw as Centre scored 15 and Solomon 14, resulting in a 13-point win for the Lady Cougars.

For the second consecutive game, Gutsch was high-point man with 20 points. Burhoop scored 13 and Luna 12. Turner contributed five points, and Seifert, Brittany Owens, and Carlson two each.

The junior varsity game hardly could be called a contest. Centre won, 55-10. After an 8-4 first-quarter lead, a 24-2 second quarter put the game away for good.

Leann Pankratz scored a game-high 14 points, followed by Shelby Deines with 10. Brooke Carlson added eight, Bridgette Burns seven, Carlye Simons and Nellie Hill five each, Josie Peterson four, and Amy Hajek two.

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