Chanute, KS – The Neosho County Lady Panthers delivered a dominant performance Tuesday night in Chanute, defeating Fort Scott 80–51 in the first round of the KJCCC Playoffs. With the victory, Neosho advances to the semifinal round, where they will face Allen County on Friday, March 6, at 5:30 PM.
Neosho came out aggressive early, jumping to an 18–12 lead after the first quarter. The Panthers continued to build momentum in the second quarter, using balanced scoring and strong defense to extend their lead to 37–27 at halftime.
The Lady Panthers took full control in the second half. A strong third quarter pushed the lead even further before Neosho exploded for 26 points in the fourth quarter to seal the commanding 80–51 victory.
Chloe Parker led the Panthers offensively with 14 points, knocking down two three-pointers and attacking the basket throughout the game. Jaida Harris and Bauke Graulus each added 10 points, with Harris also contributing three steals on the defensive end. Sophia Mireles chipped in 9 points while helping lead the Panthers’ defensive pressure.
Azura Clark provided a spark off the bench with 8 points, including two three-pointers, while Ta’Neah Jones added 7 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in the paint. Dagmara Kacprazak contributed 5 points from the free throw line, and Kaozong Yang also finished with 5 points.
Neosho’s depth played a key role in the victory, with the Panthers scoring 33 bench points and forcing 15 steals that led to 29 points off turnovers. The team shot 46.7% from the field and an impressive 41.2% from beyond the arc while controlling the pace of the game from start to finish.
With the first-round win secured, the Lady Panthers now turn their attention to the KJCCC semifinals. Neosho will take on Allen County on Friday, March 6 at 5:30 PM at KCK in Kansas City, with a trip to the championship game on the line.
