Hays, Kansas
 

For the first time since 1999 the Jackson Heights Lady Cobra basketball team set foot on the State Basketball tournament floor on Thursday night. Coming in as the #6 seed, the Lady Cobras faced off against the #3 seeded and 7th ranked team in class 2A, the Sterling Lady Black Bears. Ironically, the last state appearance for the Lady Cobras in 1999 was against Sterling as well. In what was a hard fought battle from start to finish, the Lady Cobras gave the Lady Black Bears all they could handle but ultimately fell 66-58 ending their season with a 17-6 record.

Jackson Heights won the opening tip and didn't waste any time putting points on the board as they jumped to an early 6-2 lead. Sterling responded however with a run of their own jumping to a 13 point lead halfway through the 1st quarter at 22-9. After a Jackson Height timeout, the Lady Cobras battled their way back with an 8-0 finish to the first quarter ending the first frame trailing by only 5 at 22-17. In a back and forth 2nd quarter, the Lady Cobras outscored the Lady Black Bears 16-11 to tie the game at the half 33-33 behind 15 first half points by Kylie Dohl and 9 by Amaya Marlatt.
 

In the 3rd quarter the Lady Cobras started hot from the field with a 6-0 run holding the Lady Black Bears scoreless through the first 3 minutes of the 2nd half leading 39-33. Sterling answered with an 8-2 run of their own over the next 2 minutes to tie the contest back up at 41-41. Sterling closed out the quarter with an 7-6 run to take a 1 point lead into the final quarter of play. In the final 8:00 minutes of play, Sterling asserted themselves defensively with tight full court pressure holding Jackson Heights scoreless for the first 3 minutes of the 4th quarter leading 54-47. The Lady Cobras led by Marlatt stayed within striking distance down the stretch getting as close as 3 points but ultimately Sterling's full court pressure proved to be the difference. Sterling closed the game out making 7-9 free throws to win 66-58.

A great campaign by the Lady Cobras comes to an end with a 17-6 record. Jackson Heights will look to build on this state tournament appearance next year as the future is bright for the Lady Cobras who will return 10 of 12 players on the roster including leading scorers Dohl and Marlatt. Jackson Heights will say farewell to Seniors Trinity McMahon and Karley Dieckmann following outstanding 4 year careers on the hardwood.
 

Scoring

Jackson Heights – K. Dohl – 19, A. Marlatt – 18, A. Brey – 8, G. Roles – 4, J. White – 3, K. Dieckmann – 2, M. Kennedy – 2, T. McMahon – 2.

                                      1    2     3     4     F  

    #3 Sterling High –  22 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 48

#6 Jackson Heights - 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 41