SALINA, Kan. – Following their bitter defeat in overtime in the state semifinals to Wellington, the McPherson High Girls Basketball team were able to end the 2023-24 season with a victory, defeating Fort Scott 57-50 in the 3rd place game.
A strong start for the Bullpups put them up early 8-2, but Fort Scott subsequently went on a 20-2 run through the beginning of the 2nd quarter. That was the furthest the Tigers would be to the Bullpups, as McPherson started to click on all cylinders. They would trail 28-24 at halftime and the game would be tied at 38 after three quarters.
What follows would be a wild, but hard-fought fourth quarter. Both teams exchanged shot after shot, and the game would be tied with less than two minutes remaining. Then, with around 1:30 remaining, Karter Alvord would hit the go-ahead corner three to put the Bullpups up 3. Both teams would play the free throw game to the end, with Bullpup seniors Karter Alvord and Jayla McLeod hitting clutch shots, eventually giving them the win.
All four seniors contributed in a big way. Karter Alvord led with 21 points, Reanna Eilrich had 13, Jayla McLeod finished with 9 points and 8 rebounds, and Madi Moors finished with 5 points (all in 4th quarter). Freshman Jaela Thompson finished with 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The Bullpup Girls’ season ends with a 20-5 record, finishing 4-1 in the postseason.
