Halstead pulls away from Haven to reach sub-state final

HESSTON, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - The top seed in in their sub-state, Halstead got all they could handle from Haven in the opening 16 minutes, but pulled away after the break for a 37-27 win Thursday night.

Both teams offense struggled to get anything going for the first two quarters, with the Dragons taking a 12-11 lead into the locker room. Haven held the Dragons to just three points in the second quarter, keeping them off the scoreboard for close to six and a half minutes to end the half. But in that time the Wildcats scored just 5 points, unable to completely take advantage.

But in the third things started rolling offensively for Halstead. Josie Engel hit two threes including a buzzer beater that gave the Dragons a 12 point lead as they outscored Haven 15-4 in the frame. The lead grew to as much as 17 before Haven closed the gap to 10 late.

Karenna Gerber scored 12 to lead the Dragons despite a tough test defensively from Haven’s Maguire Estill. Engel finished with 9 and Kalleigh O’Brien 7. Estill paced the Wildcats with 8.

Halstead will move on to Saturday’s sub-state final where they will face either Hesston.

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