The Lady Mustangs extended their current winning streak to seven games on Saturday with an exhilarating 51-45 win over host Wabaunsee in the 2A Sub-State Finals at Alma.

Out of the gates, it was known that this would be a dog fight. Two physical teams trying to establish early, we saw the pace pick up quickly. Valley Heights would score first and lead the entire first quarter, by as many as six, before the Chargers cut the lead down to three at the end of the stanza.

We started the second frame with the Mustangs up 15-12, when a slower paced game began. Both teams found success on the defensive end as the Chargers forced four Mustang turnovers that led to points, while Valley Heights forced three turnovers in the quarter that led to run outs. Wabaunsee would grab their first lead of the game at 20-19 with just under three minutes to go in the half. When we reached halftime, the teams found themselves in the same situation as they did at the beginning of the game. Tied. This time at twenty-three.

In the third, Wabaunsee found success scoring the ball with Senior forward Kaci Meseke and Sophomore guard Reese Michaelis who combined for eight of the Charger eleven in the quarter. Offense for the Mustangs was stagnant, with not much flow on their end of the court, scoring just six in the quarter and trailed 34-29 heading down the stretch.

The final frame was one for the ages. Valley Heights trailed by as many as seven in the quarter, with Seniors Delana Murk and Maggie Toerber both in foul trouble as well. Something clicked in a Coach Jordan Broxterman time-out when he challenged his girls. “If you want it, you have to go take it.” That is exactly what they did. Senior Olivia Skalla and Junior Anna Toerber were called upon to fill the void of Murk and M. Toerber for half of the final quarter, and those were huge minutes for the ‘Stangs. Valley Heights turned up the defensive pressure, led by Sophomore Mia Vermetten and Senior Ava Smith. Combined, they were able to force multiple 5-Second violations on Wabaunsee.

Chipping away at the deficit, Smith knocked down a huge three to bring Valley Heights within four. More defensive stops led to more opportunities for the Mustangs as not too long after Smith, Vermetten knocked down a three from almost the same spot to bring them within one. With just under a minute to go in the game, down by one, Murk had a look from the right wing for three and never hesitated. Burying the three gave Valley Heights their first lead in the second half and it was the shot that sent the Mustangs back to state. Free throws down the stretch extended the lead for Broxterman’s crew as they went from seeing their season come to an end, to surviving to fight for another week. Murk was named our Farmers State Bank of Onaga player to bank on.

This team is resilient, and prides themselves on the defensive side of the ball. When they needed it the most, they stood tall on the defensive end. Valley Heights had three in double figures in the game. Led by Smith with thirteen points (ten in the second half), Murk eleven (nine in the second half) and Vermetten with eleven (nine in the second half). The ‘Stangs will ride their seven-game winning streak into State as the eighth seed, drawing top ranked Wichita County in the opening round. This team is special, and they have been battle tested all year long in the Twin-Valley League, they will be prepared and ready to show what it is like to play a gritty team next week. The game will be broadcasted on 92.1FM KMZA live from Dodge City on Wednesday at 2:00PM