Oh so close: Tonganoxie girls basketball falls just short of state berth, posts best year in 13 seasons
Shawn F. Linenberger/Staff
The Tonganoxie High bench erupts after a basket late in the fourth quarter Friday against Rock Creek at RCHS. Tonganoxie would fall, 64-58, but THS had its first winning season since 2013 and first posteason victory since 2012.FLUSH, KANSAS — A raucous crowd, an instant classic and the close of the best season in Tonganoxie High girls basketball history in several years.
No. 9 THS and No. 1 Rock Creek battled Friday in a Class 4A substate championship game at RCHS northwest of Wamego.
The stands turned thunderous repeatedly in the back-and-forth game inside the RCHS gymnasium as storms rolled through the area outside.
The game started as a defensive match brewed early. Each team hit a free throw and it was 1-1 for half of the first quarter before the Mustangs got their first field goal. It was 3-3 with under 3 minutes left when Addy Schooler hit a turnaround shot in the middle of the paint. THS got its first lead when Alyssa Schoeneck hit a jumper a bit later in the quarter. RCHS would hit two free throws and a 3-pointer and take an 8-5 lead into the second quarter.
The teams would go back and forth and pick up the offensive production in the second quarter before heading into the half in a 22-20 game favoring Rock Creek.
The continuous back-and-forth contest moved on in the second half. Tonganoxie had the lead with about 3 minutes left, but Rock Creek went on a late run and rallied for the 64-58 victory.
Rock Creek’s substate title was the school’s second overall and first since 2009. The Mustangs moved to 22-3 on the season, while the Chieftains finished the year at 16-9.
Rock Creek took charge out of the locker room in the third quarter, but THS would take its first lead of the second half with about 80 second