The Centralia Panthers were on the prowl on Friday night and pounced on the opportunity against Valley Heights earning a spot at the Class 1A-Division I State tournament in Emporia, behind a 57-36 victory in the Sub-State Championship.

Centralia jumped out early on Valley Heights holding the Mustangs to just six points in the first quarter, leading 14-6 after one period. The lead continued to grow in the second quarter for Centralia posting an 18-7 period to lead 32-13 at the half. Crashing the boards and feeding the post allowed Centralia to have a firm grasp on the game early, as sophomore, Cassidy Haufler posted 12 points in the first half for the Panthers. Valley Heights chipped away at the lead with a 14-8 third quarter but a 17-9 fourth by the Panthers closed the game out for the 57-36 win.

Valley Heights with the loss wrapped up their year with a 16-7 record and was led by Cassidy Coggins who in her final game as a Mustang posted 19 points and hit five three-pointers.

Haufler and Mayda Stallbuamer were forces inside yet again for Centralia finishing with 18 and 10 points, respectively, while Amaris Jones chipped in 14 points going 10-12 from the free throw line herself as Centralia was 20-28 from the charity stripe as a team. Haufler's strong night earned her Community National Bank "Player to Bank On" honors on KMZA radio. The Panthers improve to 19-4 with the win and punch their ticket to the State tournament for the first time since 2012.

Centralia will head to Emporia for the Class 1A-Division I State tournament and play on Wednesday for their opening round game.