The Eureka Lady Tornadoes traveled to Yates Center to take on the top-seeded St. Mary’s Colgan Panthers in the final round of Sub-State, with a trip to the state tournament on the line. Despite a hard-fought battle, a challenging second quarter proved to be the turning point. The Tornadoes ultimately fell 50-57, closing out their impressive 16-6 season.
Senior Laynie Winfrey set the tone early, nailing a pull-up jumper to start what would become a career- high 29-point performance. The first quarter saw an intense backand- forth, with both teams fighting for momentum. A 10-0 Eureka run, led by Winfrey and Elle Coulter, propelled the Tornadoes to a 17-13 lead at the end of the opening period.
The second quarter, however, told a different story. A scoring drought plagued the Tornadoes, while Colgan found its rhythm offensively. The Panthers surged ahead, turning a four-point deficit into a 25-35 halftime lead.
Eureka responded with urgency in the third quarter, outscoring Colgan 10-6 to chip away at the lead. Winfrey bookended the period with a jump shot and a deep buzzer-beater, while Coulter and Hannah Perrier added key buckets. Heading into the final frame, the Tornadoes trailed 41 35 but had momentum on their side. The fourth quarter was a frantic battle, with both teams desperately trying to secure control. Kimber Ptacek attacked the rim for two, followed by a quick Colgan response. A steal by Ptacek led to a converted three-pointer by Winfrey, but the Panthers countered with a three-point play of their own. Eureka clawed within four points at one stage, but foul trouble proved costly. Colgan capitalized at the free-throw line, staving off Eureka’s final push. Despite late efforts from Winfrey and Coulter, the Tornadoes fell just short in their comeback bid.
Though their season ended in heartbreak, the Lady Tornadoes have much to be proud of. They finished with a 16-6 record, with four of their six losses coming against 2A and 3A state tournament qualifiers. This season also marked Eureka’s first home defeat and first Tri-Valley League defeat in eight years. Yet, their dominance remains undeniable— Eureka clinched its eighth consecutive TVL championship, reinforcing its status as a powerhouse in Kansas girls’ basketball.
Stats and Scoring Leaders: POINTS: Winfrey 29, Coulter 13, Ptacek 4 and Perrier and Lydia Mason 2. REBOUNDS: Ptacek 8, Winfrey 6 and Perrier 3. ASSISTS: Mason 3 and Ptacek, Britta Mongeau and Coulter 2. STEALS: Ptacek, Mongeau and Perrier 1.
