Dodge CIty, Kansas

In the second girls semi-final game of the Class 1A DI state tournament, #3 seed Frankfort fell to the #2 seed Quinter Bulldogs 42-38. Frankfort led throughout the majority of the contest, and by as many as 11 in the second quarter, but couldn't seem to get shots to drop in the second half.

In the first, Frankfort came out with a focus on the defensive side and it worked to perfection. The Wildcats got the scoring started with Junior Hattie Gros, and kept attacking the rim even with rim protector and 6'2 senior Anna Briggs controlling the paint for the Bulldogs. Briggs would pick up her second foul in the first frame and have to sit, and Frankfort took advantage. A three point basket by Junior Emma Hardwick at the buzzer sent the Wildcats to the second period up 12-5. 

Both teams got the scoring ramped up in the second as Frankfort won the quarter 18-16, led by Junior Sydney Wapp who had 11 in the stanza. Wapp was able to get going due to the lack of presence from Briggs who was on the bench with two fouls. The 'Cats got up by as many as 11 in the frame before Briggs came back into the game and scored six for the Bulldogs as we went into the break with Frankfort up nine 30-21.

The second half adjustments by Quinter head coach Matt Havlas, saw Briggs become a larger part of the gameplan. Briggs started the second half with a three-pointer and a switch was flipped for Quinter. Briggs would make two trifectas in the frame pacing the Bulldogs and Frankfort struggled to score, putting just four points on the board in the frame. The Wildcats clung to a 34-29 lead heading to the fourth.

In the final frame, Quinter continued to play through Briggs, who scored 13 of her game high 21 in the second half. Halfway through the fourth frame, Frankfort was struggling to attack the rim with Briggs in the paint, effecting every shot that went up. Down the stretch, a big three by Briggs tied the game at 38-38, and free throws down the stretch propelled Quinter to the state title game against Doniphan West on Saturday. Frankfort was just 1-20 from the field in the second half, scoring only eight second half points as Quinter shot 40% from the field and outscored the 'Cats 21-8 in the second half.

Frankfort was led by Wapp who had 15 points and 5 rebounds in the game, Hardwick had 9 points with 8 boards and Gros chipped in 8 points on the night. The Wildcats will now play in the third place game Saturday at 12:00PM against top seeded Norwich, who was upset by Doniphan West earlier in the day. Pregame will begin at 11:45 on 92.1FM KMZA