Class 3A State Semifinals from Hutchinson on Friday

Both Sabetha squads  went on an early runs and never gave up their lead while making 10 of 13 free throws in the fourth quarter to secure semifinal wins and move to 24-1 on the season.  The #2 seed Bluejays will both play for State Championships on Saturday against the #1 seed and #1 ranked teams in the state. 

GIRLS = Sabetha 50, Sterling 43

The Lady Bluejays went on a 7- 0 run to lead 7-2 and carried an 11-4 advantage into the second frame. Then, they used a 6-0 spurt to take a double-digit lead.  #3 seed Sterling cut the margin to 24-21 early in the third quarter but the Jays responded and led 37-31 entering the fourth quarter.  Sterling would rally to tie the score at 39 with 5:30 left in the game, but never took the lead and Sabetha hit 10 of 13 free throws down the stretch to extend the victory.  One night after going 12 of 15 from the charity stripe, Sabetha hit 14 of 18 free throws in the second half to hand Sterling their first loss in 21 games and only their second defeat of the season.  

Emily Meyer scored 15 points and Alexis McAfee added 11 while Mariah Huneke chipped in 10, and that trio went 8 of 9 from the line in the fourth quarter.  Kallie Broxterman added 7, including a second period trey and two free three throws with :19 remaining that gave the Jays a 48-43 lead.  Sabetha had a nice rebounding advantage for the second straight night, which helped overcome 19 turnovers.  

Sterling dropped to 23-2 on the season and made just 4 of 22 three-pointers while committing 24 fouls and 16 turnovers while shooting just 35 percent from the field.  Emma Lambert scored 15 and Kylah Comley pumped in 9 of her 11 in the second half.  Syndey Wilson added 8 but was one of three Bears to foul out.  

Sabetha won their second closest game of the season and 13th straight while advancing to their sixth girls state championship basketball game. They look for a third championship as they play undefeated Silver Lake at 4 PM on Saturday, live on KNZA 103.9 FM.  The Eagles beat Sabetha 51-50 in the third place game at the state 3A Tournament a year ago.   

BOYS - Sabetha 40, Garden Plain 32

The Bluejays boys went on a 9-0 run to lead 9-2 and the Jays jumped to a 15-7 first quarter lead and held a 22-18 margin at halftime.  Sabetha was held to a mere two points in the third quarter on a transition bucket by Alex Kirwan, yet, they held increased their lead by holding Garden Plain to a single free throw in the third quarter. 

Calder Keehn, who sit out the final 13:30 on the first half after picking up two early fouls, scored back-to-back baskets in the fourth quarter as Sabetha stretched their lead to 30-23.  From there, it was all free throws as the Jays hit 10 of 13 in the fourth quarter including two makes on one-and-one attempts from Kirwan, Keehn and Brock Frey in the final 90 seconds.  

Sabetha overcame 12 turnovers to 3 for Garden Plain with better rebounding in the second half and held the Owls to just 25 percent shooting on the night, including 6 of 25 behind the arc.  Frey was the only player in double figures with 8 of his 11 points in the first quarter while Kirwan added 8 points and 8 rebounds.  Keehn scored all 6 of his points in the final frame and Jonah Montgomery got first in the first half before a fourth quarter ankle injury which kept him on the sidelines in the final minutes of the contest.  

Garden Plain, also known for the defense giving up less than 40 points per game (like Sabetha) fell to 20-5 on the season and was led by Luke Heimerman with 9 points.  Alexander Mannebach scored all 8 of his in the fourth quarter including a pair of three's and Alex Becker added 7.  

The Sabetha boys are 0-2 in state basketball championship games, falling in the 2002 and 2009 title bouts.  They will face #1 seed and ranked Osage City in the 6PM boys title game from Hutchinson on Saturday evening with live coverage from 3A on 103.9 FM, KNZA.  

Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Players to Bank On."

Mariah Huneke and Kalli Broxterman of the Sabetha girls and Alec Kirwan of the Bluejay boys.