The AHSTW Lady Vikes couldn’t get a look at the basket on the final possession of the game and came up short 36-35 to Logan-Magnolia in a Class 2A Region 8 Final on Wednesday night in Harlan. Offense was hard to come by for both teams with each defense packing in the lane with a zone look for much of the night.
AHSTW led 7-5 at the end of the first, and were up 6 at half 19-13. The Panthers rallied in the third and outscored the Lady Vikes 18-2 in the period to lead 31-21. Freshman Ava Goldsmith came in at the end of the quarter and hit a corner three to push the lead to 10 which felt like a big momentum moment. The Lady Vikes answered back though with 10-1 run to start the fourth and get within 1. They would get within 1 a couple more times but could never get over the hump.
The Panthers went into keep away mode in the fourth quarter to try to preserve their lead, extending possessions as long as they could. The Lady Vikes were able to force a couple of turnovers and give themselves a chance to win at the end. AHSTW had possession down one with about 18 seconds left and Kinsey Scheffler got a pass driving left after a scramble. Kylie Morrison was able to knock the ball away and out of bounds with just one-tenth of a second left. The Lady Vikes couldn’t draw a foul on the final inbound and the Panthers held on. After the game AHSTW Head Coach Steve Sauvain talked about what they are gonna miss from their lone senior starter Scheffler.
Logan-Magnolia was led by 14 points from Kylie Morrison and 13 from Emilie Thompson. The Panthers and Coach Derek Sonderland advance to the State Tournament for the second time.
AHSTW was led by 13 from Kailey Jones and 11 from Julia Kock. Coach Sauvain said the future is bright for his squad.
The Lady Vikes finish a terrific season with 20-4.