WICHITA, Kan.—
Over the girl’s tournament weekend, the Wichita East Lady Blue Aces took their 4-6 season record to El Dorado to compete against Valley Center, Shawnee Mill Valley and Circle. In their first game up against Valley Center, the Aces went in to halftime down 17-10. Led by junior guard Relina Johnson and her 17 points, the Aces came back and won the game 37-27.
In the semifinal match-up between East and Shawnee Mill Valley, the Aces staggered early and were unable to come back from the first quarter nine point deficit. The Aces lost by a final of 51-39.
In the third place game, the Aces took on Towanda-Circle. Led by 19 points from Johnson and 14 from junior Tori Spann in the game, the Aces jumped out to an early 19-2 lead in the first quarter and won the game 69-39.
“We played really solid defense and boxed out consistently,” said junior Eileen Vlamis. “It was a lot of fun and we proved that we can bounce back from a loss and still play hard.”
Johnson was named to the El Dorado All-Tournament team as well as tournament MVP. Ceyaira Washington was named to the tournament’s All Hustle Team.
In the weeks to come Vlamis looks forward to having a second chance at City League opponents and the potential of a postseason run.
The Lady Aces next match-up will be against the Bishop Carroll Golden Eagles at 6 p.m. on Jan. 31 at Wichita East.
