DODGE CITY, Kan. (Catch it Kansas) - The Pretty Prairie Lady Bulldogs advanced the State Championship game for the first time in 24 years after defeating the Hodgeman County Lady Longhorns 37-32.Pretty Prairie took a 15-5 lead after the first quarter. Bailey Young scored six of the points while Joley Harbaugh and McKenna Vogl added a three-pointer each.

Aubrey Young added two three-pointers in the second quarter to help Pretty Prairie to 11 points and a 26-12 halftime lead.

Hodgeman County had their best scoring quarter in the third. They scored 14 points to Pretty Prairie’s seven. Morgan Ruff sank two three-pointers in the third period. They trailed Pretty Prairie 33-26 going into the fourth.

Hodgeman County switched to a zone defense in the fourth quarter and Pretty Prairie took advantage of that to burn off time from the clock.While the switch in defense slowed things down, Hodgeman County committed a total of 14 fouls in the second half. That many fouls gave Pretty Prairie several opportunities to shoot free throws. The Lady Bulldogs only made seven of 18 free throws in the second half.

The lack of made free throws helped to give Hodgeman County a chance to close the score to within three with approximately thirty seconds remaining. A pair of made free throws secured the win for the Lady Bulldogs.

Hodgeman County shot 24.4% from the field going 10 of 41. Grace Shiew led all scorers with 13 points. Morgan Ruff added 10 points.

Pretty Prairie went 11 of 31 from the field to shoot 35.5%. Bailey Young led the Lady Bulldogs with eight points.

Pretty Prairie will meet the Centralia Lady Panthers for the State Championship game Saturday evening in Dodge City.

Pretty Prairie survives late Hodgeman County surge