For the third time this season the Centralia and Frankfort girls basketball teams met up on the hardwood but this time it was win or go home with a berth in the Class 1A Wabaunsee sub-state championship on the line.

Just like the first two meetings this season Thursdays semifinal game was a thriller, with the Frankfort girls taking down the Panthers for the third time this season coming from 10 points down to win 39-36.

Neither team was able to gain the advantage early on, with the Wildcats taking just a 10-8 lead after the first quarter.

Centralia responded with a strong second quarter, as junior Morgan Kramer notched five points in the frame to push the Panthers to an eight point lead at halftime, 23-15.

The Panthers extended their lead to 10 points out of halftime, but behind an 8-5 third quarter Frankfort was able to pull within five points going into the fourth.

Heading into the fourth quarter Wildcat sophomore Kacia Shirley had just 3 points on one 3-pointer and averaged just 3 points per game. But in the fourth Shirley was the difference maker, as the sophomore knocked down three more treys to give Frankfort their first lead since the first quarter.

Centralia had chances in the final minute to take the lead back, but costly turnovers and 4-of-6 shooting from the free throw line by the Wildcats allowed Frankfort to ice the game away.

The Wildcats finished with six 3-pointers on the night, with Shirley knocking down four of the six long balls.

Frankfort (21-2) now advances to the sub-state championship Saturday, where the Wildcats will face off against Rural Vista (23-0) at 4:00 pm in Wabaunsee.

With the loss Centralia ends their season with a record of 15-7 and sends off one of the best senior classes in recent memory in Maegan Koch, Tamra Jones, Jade Rumbo, Maddy Lueger and Kate Elliot.

Frankfort: Kacia Shirley – 12, Emilee Ebert – 11, Mariah Broxterman – 8, Alli Tommer – 6, Kennan Brandt – 2.

Centralia: Maddy Lueger – 10, Kate Elliot – 10, Maegan Koch – 6, Morgan Kramer – 5, Tamra Jones – 3, Avery Deters – 2.