Two of the top teams in Class 2A did battle in the Mid-Continent League girls championship game, and the game did not disappoint.
The Smith Center girls camp in the match up undefeated, ranked number four in class 2A and as the defending MCL champions. Ellis was undeterred, the Lady Railers were the number seven ranked team in 2A.
Ellis was able to grab a slight one point lead in the first quarter, but more importantly they were able to get the Lady Red into foul trouble. Ellis found its self in the bonus with more than two minutes left in the first quarter and Smith Center had many of its best players carrying early fouls.
"It's one of the things we talked about. I felt like we were deeper than they were, they don't play quite as many people as we do," said Ellis head coach Perry Mick. "So when their starters started getting in foul trouble, I knew that would effect them."
Ellis went on a little 5-0 run early in the second quarter, and that was pretty much the difference in what was a five point Lady Railer lead.
You don't get to 10-0 on the season because you lack fight. The Lady Red came out of the locker room much more focused and were able to tie the game at 44 by the end of three quarters.
Yet the Lady Railers again looked like they would put a little distance between them and Smith Center, opening up a five point lead with about three minutes to play.
Lady Red didn't quit and Brianna Dietz's free throws with two minutes to play sent the game into overtime tied at 57.
"We got a little to relaxed there in the forth quarter," said Mick.
Ellis got back to business in the overtime. Megan Honas hit a big three to open the extra frame and then the Lady Railers went on to score the first eight points of OT.
"I think they new it was time to step it up and they did," said Mick.
Smith Center saw three of it's starters foul out in overtime, a product of the early foul trouble, and managed just six points. Ellis won by the final score of 73-63.
"It's exciting it's great for the girls," said Mick. "Some of these girls have been in the finals before when they were freshmen. It feels great especially with the young kids that we've got."
Bailey Henseley lead Ellis with 28 points and Alexia Deutscher added 20. Colbie Decker had 26 for Smith Center.
In the third place game Osborne defeated Norton Community 44-31. Plainville took fifth by betting Hill City 36-35 and Phillipsburg was seventh besting Stockton 50-21.
