BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
EMPORIA — Ellinwood's girls are living the dream headed for the 2A state basketball championship.
The Eagles held off Eureka's rally 50-47 with five fourth-quarter free throws. Julia Schlessiger converted two free throws and Eleanor Joiner, Brynn Widener and Alyvia Batchman each added a free throw.
Eleanor Joiner's rebound basket handed the Eagles a 48-41 lead with two minutes left. Eureka rallied without all-stater Brenna Rucker when Britta Mongeau hit a pair of 3-pointers and Arabella Shepherd drilled a 3-pointer for a 49-47 score.
After Brynn Widener's free throw for a 50-47 lead, Britta Mongeau's final game-tying 3-pointer missed while being defended by Alyvia Batchman.
Ellinwood's girls quickly embraced teammates and celebrated the moment. Two days ago, the Eagle girls had never won a state tournament game.
Now, they're playing Salina Sacred Heart for a 2A state basketball championship.
"Those emotions spill out," said Ellinwood coach Greg Maxwell. "It's special because it's the first time in Ellinwood girls history. They believe they're champions who will fight to the end.
"We've raised our intensity and showed the fans what it takes to get to this level. Their expectations in life will be helped by what they're doing right now."
Mette Maxwell sparked the Eagles with 17 points and five 3-pointers.
"Once I hit back-to-back shots, that's when I know it's going to be a good game," Mette Maxwell said. "Whenever I make shots, it helps me everywhere — defense, getting assists and driving to the basket."
Joiner's clutch play delivered eight points, five in the fourth quarter. Batchman and Brynn Widener each added nine points.
"It's so much fun to see the girls perform at their highest level," Maxwell said. "Our girls hit huge shots. Every girl we played embraced the moment and made a play."
In a high-stress environment, the Eagles stayed strong mentally.
"Our girls played stronger as the game progressed," he said. "Not once, did our girls have any doubt in their eyes. They believe and trust in each other."
One of Ellinwood's keys was scoring six points off second-chances in the fourth quarter. Joiner scored two baskets and Batchman and Schlessiger added free throws with rebounds on missed free throws.
Eureka never got a chance to rebound a pair of free throw misses because Eureka coach Shelly Hoyt leaves no Tornadoes to gather offensive rebounds.
After a 17-15 first half, the Eagles outscored Eureka 33-32 after halftime.
"That was two 'really good' teams playing defense, sped each other team up and didn't give open looks. Good basketball players gain confidence. Once the shooters got their confidence, 'Holy Smokes.'
Batchman was the Eagles' defensive star defending Eureka's Brenna Rucker, who led the Tornadoes with 17 points before fouling out. Rucker committed eight turnovers. Elle Coulter score 14 points and Mongeau added 13.
Eureka's Mongeau drilled a 3-pointer for a brief 36-35 lead, but Maxwell fed Avery Panning for a clutch 3-pointer and a 38-36 lead. Joiner's basket gave the Eagles a 41-39 lead they never lost.
"We love Eleanor for her effort and energy," Maxwell said. "She's strong and smart. She played 'bigger,' than she is by half a foot today."
The Eagles converted 17 of 54 field goals, 9 of 22 from 3-point range.
"It's someone different every game for us," said Mette Maxwel.
Coach Maxwell gained the edge on Eureka coach Shelly Hoyt, who led Hoxie to four consecutive state titles and 107 wins in a row.
Ellinwood (27-1) plays Salina Sacred Heart (24-4) in Saturday's 12:30 p.m. championship game. The Knights lost to Beloit, Chapman, Ellsworth and Rossville.
Eureka 8 7 17 15 — 47
Ellinwood 7 10 18 15— 50
EUREKA (23-3)—Rucker 5-15 (1-5) 6-9 17, Coulter 6-8 (2-3) 0-1 14; Mongeau 5-10 (3-7) 0-0 13; Shepherd (1-3) 0-0 3; Mason (0-2) 0-0 0; Totals 17-38 (7-20) 6-10 47
ELLINWOOD (27-1)—Maxwell 6-13 (5-11) 0-0 17, Batchman 3-8 (2-4) 1-4 9, Brynn Widener 3-13 (0-3) 3-4 9, Joiner 3-6 (1-2) 1-2 8, Schlessiger 0-5 2-4 2; Ritchie 1-3 0-0 2, Reese Stickney 0-2 (0-1) 0-0 0; Panning 1-3 (1-2) 0-0 3, Regan Widener 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 17-54 (9-22) 7-14 50
2A GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP, EMPORIA (3-14)—Ellinwood (27-1) vs Salina Sacred Heart (24-4), 12:30 p.m.
3RD PLACE (3-13)—Eureka (23-3) vs Moundridge (24-3), 10:30 a.m.
SEMIFINALS—Ellinwood 50, Eureka 47; Salina Sacred Heart 69, Moundridge 56
QUARTERFINALS—Ellinwood 55, Rossville 48; Eureka 52, Oakley 45; Moundridge 63, Valley Heights 48; Salina Sacred Heart 52, Pittsburg Colgan 42
