The Eureka Tornadoes captured third place at the Kansas Class 2A girls state tournament with a 61-49 victory over the Moundridge Wildcats Friday morning at Emporia’s White Auditorium.
Eureka led 11-7 after the first quarter and 27-19 at halftime. Moundridge outscored Eureka 19-10 in the third quarter to take a 38-37 lead. Eureka went on a 24-11 run in the fourth quarter to win the game by 12 points.
Eureka finished the season with a 24-3 record. Moundridge, the 2025 state champions, posted a 24-4 campaign.
Brenna Rucker scored 16 points in the first half and led the Eureka Tornadoes with 28 points. She was 10-of-18 from the floor (including 3-of-8 3-point tries), made all five of her free throw attempts, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished off 3 assists and had 5 steals.
Ellianna Coulter scored 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds for the Tornadoes. Britta Mongeau added 9 points, including two 3-pointers. Arabella Shephard and Sydney Lindamood each scored 3 points. Hannah Perrier and Alaina Westerman each scored 2 points.
Cammi Unruh led the Wildcats with 13 points. Macy Kaminkow scored 11 points (with one 3-pointer) and grabbed 9 rebounds. Mackenzie Conkling contributed 11 points (with two 3-pointer), 5 rebounds and 3 steals.
Moundridge’s Addysen Patrick hit a pair of 3-pointers for 6 points. Hattie Hecox and Halie Hecox each scored 4 points.
Hoxie girls coach Shelly Hoyt, a Kansas coaching legend, guided the Tornadoes to their first-ever state tournament game wins in school history. Her career record is 617-71.
Hoyt’s accomplishments include induction into the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. She is the mother of college coaches Jacie Hoyt and Terran Hoyt.
Moundridge’s Kaleigh Huxman has posted two straight 24-win seasons for the Wildcats.
