By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-Country Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com
The Lady Tigers of St. John-Hudson lost to Centralia in the first round of 1A Girls State basketball, 27-50, last week in Dodge City. There were high points in the game for St. John, but just not enough offense when it came down to staying alive for another game.
Senior Lydia Reed led the Lady Tigers with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks, plus was a force to reckon with on defense, but it wasn’t enough against the eventual state champion team Centralia.
“This is the second year in a row that we have been knocked out by the eventual state champion,” said Head Coach Danny Smith. “They are obviously a very good team. We held their best player(Deters) to just 10 points, which we were happy with. She scored 24 and 28 in each of her next two games. We also out-rebounded them 35-30 and held them to 8 offensive board, while we had 10. However, we really struggled to score and you have to score with teams if you want to advance and we just didn’t. Part of this is due to their good defense, but we still shot 42 times to their 47, however free throws were 6 for us to 20 for them, which was definitely a factor.”
Smith said that despite the loss, he was very proud of his team and the successful season they put together.
“Every team that defeated us this season was in the state tournament and two of them played in the state championship,” Smith said. “I am sad that this was my last chance to coach our lone senior Lydia Reed, but she is moving on to play at FHSU next season. We are very proud of that.”
Stats for the St. John/Centralia game reflected a balanced attack from the Lady Tigers, just not quite as high in numbers as needed to move on.
Reed and Mia Meyer scored 10 points each, Gentri Bright had 5, and Lily Brummer added 2. Reed led rebounding with 11,Bright pulled down 5. Assist leader for the Lady Tigers was Reed with 2.
All League honors awarded to the Lady Tigers included the following.
Lydia Reed – 1st Team Unanimous
Mia Meyer – 2nd Team
Reagan Bonner – 2nd Team
Gentri Bright – Honorable Mention
