TROY 33, CENTRAL PLAINS 25 — The Central Plains girls led Troy 23-17 when Grace Lamatsch converted a 3-pointer midway through the third quarter of Wednesday's 1A Division 1 state basketball quarterfinal.
Troy outscored the Oilers 16-2 in the final 12 minutes for a 33-25 victory.
The Oilers' offense was unable to solve an aggressive Troy Trojan defensive scheme. The Trojans outscored the Oilers 13-0 on free throws to overcome 8-40 (20%) shooting and 4-24 (17%) from 3-point range.
Troy's Harper Whetstine, averaging 27 ppg, scored 19 points by converting 12-of-12 free throws. The Oilers committed four consecutive turnovers after trailing 27-25. Down 27-25, the Oilers had the misfortune of fouling Troy's best foul shooter Whetstine, who made six consecutive free throws.
Aevyn Siemsen scored 10 points and Marilyn Soeken added six points. After a nifty 6 of 8 start, the Oilers converted 5 of 23 shots (22%) with 21 turnovers.
The Oilers misfired offensively with 11 of 31 shooting (35%) and 3 of 16 on 3-pointers (19%). Central Plains was scoreless on free throws with four misses.
Eight-time state basketball champion Central Plains (18-4) owns a 25-2 all-time record at the state tournament. The Oilers have lost two consecutive first-round games after starting 25-0 at the state tournament.
Central Plains 12 4 7 2 — 25
Troy 10 3 9 11 — 33
CENTRAL PLAINS (18-4) (FG 3 FT TP)—Aevyn Siemsen 4-8 (2-6) 0-2 10, Soeken 3-7 (0-1) 0-0 6, Lamatsch 1-4 (1-3) 0-2 3, Izzy Hurley (0-2) 0-0 0, Green 0-3 (0-2) 0-0 0, Emery Siemsen 0-3 (0-2) 0-0 0, Totals 11-31 (3-16) 0-4 25
TROY (21-1) (FG 3 FT TP)—Whetstine 3-12 (1-8) 12-12 19, Weber 3-8 (3-6) 0-0 9, Gracie Grable 0-3 (0-2) 1-2 1, Judd 0-6 (0-4) 0-0 0, Franken 2-8 (0-4) 0-0 4, Alyson Grable 0-3 0-0 0, Totals 8-40 (4-24) 13-14 33
Rebounds—CP 26 (Strouse 6); Troy 28 (Whetstine 5). Assists—CP 10 (Strouse 4); T 5 (Whetstine 3). TO—CP 21, Troy 12
1A DIV. 1 GIRLS
3-14—SEMIFINALS—Centralia 23-0 vs. Troy 21-1, 2 p.m.; Little River 21-0 vs. Quinter 20-3, 6 p.m.; FIRST ROUND—Centralia 50, St. John 27; Troy 33, Central Plains 25; Little River 76, Crest 27; Quinter 65, South Gray 54
