Backed by a strong defensive effort, the No. 2-seeded Valley Falls girls’ basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the Class 2A Valley Falls sub-state with a 35-25 win over No. 7 Troy Tuesday night at home.

The Dragons got off to a fast start as four of the five starters recorded field goals in the first quarter. Junior Allison Kearney drilled a pair of 3-pointers early on, as Valley Falls raced out to a 16-8 lead after one.

The pace of play slowed drastically in the second quarter, as Troy tried to pack their defense in the paint. The Dragons countered by holding the ball out near midcourt, dribbling off nearly three minutes of the second quarter clock and eventually taking an 11-point lead into halftime.

Valley Falls kept the Trojans at arm’s length the entirety of the second half, as Troy never got closer than seven points in the final two quarters.

Despite shooting just 30 percent from the field, the Dragons finished 9-of-12 from the free throw line in the game and forced Troy into seven turnovers.

Valley Falls (18-3) now awaits Jackson Heights in the semifinals of the tournament Friday night in Valley Falls, after the Cobras dominated Kansas City Christian Tuesday night, 59-29. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be available on the KAIR Sports Channel.

Troy ends its season at 5-16, sending off four seniors; Blair Weishaar, Lexi Norris, Andrea Stock and Kassi Meng.

Valley Falls: Rachel Frakes – 13, Allison Kearney – 8, Drew DeLong – 7, Mallory Burns – 4, Reagan Kirkwood – 3.

Troy: Lexi Norris – 11, Blair Weishaar – 10, Kassi Meng – 3, Morgan Masters – 1.