The Centralia Lady Panthers held down two-time reigning state finalist and top-ranked El Dorado Springs for three quarters on Friday but couldn't hang on.
In the Class 3 semifinals at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Centralia lost 52-41 to El Dorado Springs (28-3), making it the third straight year the Lady Bulldogs will play for a state title and giving them a chance at their second championship in that amount of time. The Lady Panthers (25-5), however, were in good position with a 32-26 lead heading into the fourth quarter but will play St. Pius X (Festus) (24-6) at noon today for third place, earning the Centralia program's first ever state trophy no matter the result.
AbiGayle Schmitt picked up a bulk of her rebounds in the fourth quarter for El Dorado Springs to finish with 12 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks. Schmitt had a floor-high 21 +/- value since that is when the Lady Bulldogs overtook Centralia by tying it at 32 with about six minutes left and then taking a 38-32 lead 30 seconds later on back-to-back 3-pointers.
El Dorado Springs hit three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter after the Lady Panthers held the 38 percent average team (218 3-pointers going in) to two 3-pointers through three quarters.
Centralia maintained an edge over El Dorado Springs by hitting 7-of-8 free throws in the first half compared to the Lady Bulldogs' 1-of-6. El Dorado Springs finished 11-for-23 at the line while Centralia was 11-for-14.
Ryenn Gordon led Centralia with 15 points and three steals, Shelby Lewis followed with eight points and 10 rebounds, Morgan Ross had eight points and five rebounds, and Braylin Brunkhorst finished with six points and seven rebounds.
McKinli Mays led El Dorado Springs with 14 points, reigning all-state player Neely Schaaf followed with 13 points and two 3-pointers, and Tenlie Steward had nine points and two 3-pointers.
Look for photos and comments from head coach Megan Brinkmann and her players in the Wednesday, March 13, 2024, edition of the Mexico Ledger.
