HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Looking to win back-to-back 3A State titles, the Halstead Dragons had one of their toughest tests of the season against Osage City on Friday afternoon at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. Despite holding an eight-point lead early in the fourth quarter, the Dragons were unable to hold off a late charge from the Indians as Osage City was able to force overtime and hit key free throws down the stretch to seal a five-point victory and a spot in the state title game.
Osage City 44, Halstead 39 (ot) – In a low-scoring affair, Halstead held an 8-5 lead after the first quarter and took an 18-13 lead into the locker room at halftime. The third quarter saw much of the same as both teams scored seven points. Addisen Wills got her first basket of the game with 25 seconds left in the third, hitting a three-pointer to put the Dragons up 25-20 going into the final quarter of regulation. Wills connected from deep again with just over six minutes remaining, giving Halstead a 28-20 lead.
Momentum turned for Osage City with 4:55 remaining. Halstead was leading 28-21 when Wills attempted throw the ball off of Osage City’s Kaelyn Boss to avoid a five-second count on an inbound pass. Instead, Boss stole the ball and seconds later made a three-pointer to bring the Indians with four at 28-24. Osage City would tie the game at 30 with 2:08 remaining. Halstead ran the clock down to 29.4 seconds on one possession before a foul on Osage City sent Piper Schroeder to the free throw line. She connected on one of two to give Halstead a 31-30 lead. After a missed shot by Boss, Halstead got a rebound and with 11.3 on the clock Wills went to the line, making the first, but missing the second free throw as the Dragons led 32-30. Osage City took a timeout after the rebound and inbounded with 7.2 seconds remaining. Jewelia Kitselman made a basket with 1.3 seconds remaining to tie the game at 32 and a Halstead foul sent her to the free throw line. Her attempt to win the game in regulation fell short and the game went to overtime.
In overtime, the Indians took a 34-32 lead on a bucket from Kitselman and they never trailed the rest of the way. Osage City shot 10-12 from the free throw line, including 6-6 from Boss to seal a five-point win. Averaging 18 points per game, Boss finished with 12 points, scoring ten of those in the fourth quarter and overtime combined. Sawyer Serna stepped up with 11 points off the bench as Osage City improved to 25-3 and advanced to the state championship game for the first time in program history. They will meet Silver Lake at 4:30 on Saturday afternoon as the Eagles beat Holcomb 50-36 to advance to their third straight state championship.
Halstead saw their 38-game winning streak come to an end as they dropped to 26-1 on the season and will play for third place against the Longhorns. Wills scored 12 to lead the way for the Dragons, while Bailey Bernal and Jordy Schroeder each added 11 points in the loss. Halstead and Holcomb tipoff at 9:30 on Saturday morning at Hutchinson Sports Arena in the 3rd Place game.
Osage City – Boss 12, Serna 11, Kitselman 8, Jenkins 5, Speece 5, Pitts 3
Halstead – Wills 12, Bernal 11, J. Schroeder 11, P. Schroeder 5
