Dodge City, Kansas

In the opening round of the Class 1A Division I girls state tournament, the Doniphan West Lady Mustangs trailed early by a bucket, but took the lead and then never looked back. The #5 seed Mustangs raced to a 60-40 upset win over fourth seeded, and 8 time defending state champion, Central Plains Oilers. 

Coming into the game, 7th year head coach Perry Smith stated his team would look for success on the defensive side of the basketball, and success came. Central Plains leading scorer, and defending 1A DI player of the year Brynna Hammeke came into the game averaging 20 points per contest, and was shut down in large part from Sophomore Guard Brennah Edie. Holding Hammeke to just 9 points in the game. Smith's studs forced 18 Oiler turnovers leading to multiple run-out opportunies for easy buckets.

On the offensive side, Doniphan West was paced by Senior Kyra Johnson who finished with 18 points, 7 boards and 4 assists. Johnson made her presence felt in the final quarter, scoring 8 in the frame. Avery Weathersbee finished just one rebound shy of a double-double, scoring 13 points with 9 boards. Edie led the team with 7 points in the first quarter and finshed the game with 10 points and 4 assists. Claire Cole, who has been on a tear as of late, finished with 10 points and 4 rebounds. Malaina Whetstine was the only starter not in double figures, but by just one point as she finished with 9, going 3/6 from behind the arc. Whetstine also led the team in assists with 5 in the game. 

The Mustangs shot an impressive 49% from the field, including 45% from three while holding the Oilers to just 33% from the field and 25% from behind the half moon. D-West led by 10 at then end of the first quarter, 14 at halftime, 16 heading into the final frame and by as many as 24 in the fourth before securing the 20 points victory.

As coach Smith said in our postgame interview, he is giving himself a short turnaround as they focus on their next matchup on Friday. Doniphan West (19-5) will take on top overall seed Norwich (22-2), in a rematch from two years ago in the state semi-finals. You can catch live action of the semi-final matchup on Friday at 2:00pm on 103.9FM KNZA or for FREE online at mscsports.net, just click listen live and select KNZA.