BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
SALINA — The showdown between 4-time state champion Little River and 8-time state champion Central Plains delivered a Redskin blowout 57-27 in Wednesday's 1A Division 1 basketball quarterfinals.
The Redskins featured too much height, athleticism and skill for the Oilers.
No. 1 ranked Little River displayed an effective mix of inside/outside offense and aggressive full-court defense that forced 27 Oiler turnovers. The Redskins scored 12 second-chance points and multiple points after Oiler turnovers.
Aevyn Siemsen scored the Oilers' first seven points and finished with nine points. Lilly Hurley scored six second-quarter points and Emery Siemsen added five. The Oilers shot 10 of 26 from the field and 2 of 7 on 3-pointers.
After converting 11 three-pointers to qualify for state against Mankato Rock Hills, the Oilers managed 2-of-6 from long range because of the Redskins' aggressive perimeter defense. Izzy Hurley and Emery Siemsen converted 3-pointers.
The Oilers (18-9) qualified for the state tournament for the 13th time in 15 years. However, the Oilers lost for the third consecutive time at state after rolling to a 25-0 state tournament record and eight consecutive titles under coach Pat Stiles.
The Redskins converted 21 of 54 field goals and 7 of 22 from 3-point range. Little River gained extra possessions going plus 19 on turnovers and controlling the offensive boards.
Havana Olander led Little River with 17 points. Arika Feldman scored 14 points off 4 of 14 shooting. Avery Lafferty scored 13 points, four off second-chance points.
Avery Lafferty scored 10 first-half points and Olander added nine for a 27-13 halftime lead. The Redskins launched 31 shots compared to 5 of 8 by the Oilers.
The 3-time state runner-up Redskins (24-2) faces Friday's semifinal test against Centralia (22-3) in a rematch of last year's championship game that Centralia won 50-43. Frankfort downed Little River 47-41 in the 2024 title game. Little River 's girls edged Centralia 74-72 for the 1997 championship.
Central Plains 6 7 7 7 — 27
Little River 13 14 17 13 — 57
CENTRAL PLAINS (18-9)—Aevyn Siemsen 2-4 (0-1) 5-7 9; Lilly Hurley 3-8 (0-1) 0-0 6; Emery Siemsen 2-3 (1-1) 0-0 5; Izzy Hurley (1-1) 0-0 3; Robl 1-4 0-0 2; Davis 0-1 0-0 0; Robison 1-3 (0-1) 0-0 2; Matlack 0-2 0-0 0, Totals 10-26 (2-6) 5-7 27
LITTLE RIVER (24-2)—Olander 8-14 (0-1) 0-0 17; Feldman 4-14 (3-11) 3-4 14; Avery Lafferty 4-7 5-6 13; Look (3-6) 0-0 9; Saelyn Raleigh 2-4 0-0 4; Strecker 0-4 (0-1) 0-0 0; Dempsey Lafferty 0-2 0-0 0; Wright 0-2 0-0 0; Schubert 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 21-54 (7-22) 8-10 57
1A DIV. 1 GIRLS SEMIFINALS, DODGE CITY (3-13)—Little River (24-2) vs Centralia (22-3), 5:30; Pretty Prairie (22-2) vs Alma Wabaunsee (23-3), 7:30; QUARTERFINALS—Little River 57, Central Plains 27; Centralia 53, Quinter 39; Pretty Prairie 39, Hodgeman County 35; Wabaunsee 44, South Gray 32
