BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

SALINA — Ellinwood's girls converted seven free throws in the fourth quarter to hold off Rossville's upset bid 55-48 in Thursday's 2A state basketball quarterfinals.

Ayla Ritchie and leading scorer Brynn Widener each converted three free throws as the Eagles overcame 1 of 12 field shooting in the fourth quarter to outlast the feisty Rossville Bulldogs.

"The girls showed some toughness," said Ellinwood coach Greg Maxwell. ""I had no doubt the girls would handle what Rossville gave us. We had girls step up and make some plays."

Brynn Widener took advantage offensively for 7 of 11 shooting when Rossville focused its defense on 6-2 Julia Schlessiger, who was limited to four points.

"I love that it's someone different every night. Brynn was phenomenal," Maxwell said. "The way Rossville played defense gave Brynn a favorable matchup."

Rossville's dynamic point guard Rylee Dick poured through 31 points and scored 24 of Rossville's 27 points after halftime. Dick's teammates converted 1 of 10 field goals after halftime.

She nearly beat the Eagles by herself. Dick aggressively attacked the Eagles for driving baskets and 8-of-8 free throws. She converted five 3-pointers.

Rossville drew within 50-48 on Dick's final 3-pointer moments after her apparent driving 3-point play was waved off on an Eagle foul. 

After Mette Maxwell sank a free throw for a 51-48 score, Alyvia Batchman's tight defense challenged Dick to drive to the basket. Dick drew contact, but no foul was whistled. 

Rossville's Elley Sanders and Brynn Widener battled for a rebound, which was whistled as a tie ball moments before Sanders scored on a putback.

"We didn't allow her (Dick) to get that last 3-point shot," coach Maxwell said. 

 After the Eagles started 4-of-14 on free throws, Ritchie and Brynn Widener each made two clinching free throws.

Brynn Widener converted back-to-back 3-pointers and scored 16 first-half points off 6 of 7 field goals for a 32-21 halftime lead. The Eagles held Dick to seven first-half points.

The Eagles outscored Rossville 19-8 to build a 32-21 halftime lead that stretched out to 38-23 midway through the third quarter.

But Dick's inspired offensive play brought the Bulldogs back. She scored 11 third-quarter points and all nine Rossville fourth-quarter points. 

No.2 ranked Ellinwood (26-1) plays No. 1 ranked Eureka (23-2) in Thursday's 2 p.m. semifinal at Emporia. The Eagle girls won the first state tournament game in school history after losing to 3A state champion Wichita Collegiate in 2006.

Rossville 13 8 18 9 — 48

Ellinwood 13 19 14 9 — 55

ROSSVILLE (15-11)—Rylee Dick 9-23 (5-10) 8-8 31; Burdick 3-12 (0-3) 3-5 9; Miller 3-9 (1-3) 0-2 7; Maggie Sanders 0-0 1-2 1; Totals 15-44 (6-16) 12-17 48

ELLINWOOD (26-1)—Brynn Widener 7-11 (3-6) 4-7 21, Maxwell 4-13 (1-7) 1-2 10, Ritchie 2-7 4-10 8, Batchman 2-4 (1-3) 0-0 5, Schlessiger 2-10 0-0 4, Joiner 1-5 (0-2) 0-0 2, Regan Widener 1-4 0-0 2, Panning 1-2 (1-1) 0-0 3, Totals 20-56 (6-19) 9-19 55

2A STATE SEMIFINALS EMPORIA (3-12)—Ellinwood (26-1) vs Eureka (23-2), 2 p.m.; Moundridge (24-2) vs Salina Sacred Heart (23-4), 4 p.m.; QUARTERFINALS—Ellinwood 54, Rossville 48; Eureka 51, Oakley 45; Moundridge 63, Valley Heights 48; Salina Sacred Heart 52, Pittsburg Colgan 42