By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Entering the first round of the 2A state tournament, many across the state of Kansas didn’t pay much mind to the 6-seeded Lady Knights, favoring St. Mary’s Colgan heavily in their seventh-straight trip to state.
Sacred Heart had other plans.
The Lady Knights used stellar defense down the stretch and a balanced offensive attack to upset the Lady Panthers 52-42 in Kansas City, securing their spot in the state semifinals.
Both teams struggled from the floor to open the game, with Sacred Heart holding a narrow 9-6 lead at the end of one.
In the second quarter, both offenses exploded, and the Lady Knights matched their rival’s pace thanks to eight points from Emmy Lee and six from Edyn Sharpton.
While many braced for a frantic third quarter, the offenses slowed again at the top of the half, with Sacred Heart outpacing the Lady Panthers 8-7 to hold a one-point advantage going into the fourth.
Janessa Davis started the party in the fourth quarter, knocking down a three and driving in for a two in the first minutes of the frame.
The Lady Knights wouldn’t surrender another field goal for the rest of the night.
Once again, Edyn Sharpton came to life, knocking down a pair of inside buckets to bookend a huge Emmy Lee three.
St. Mary’s Colgan tried to play the foul game, but the damage was done as the Lady Knights pulled away at the line for a 52-42 victory.
While Jakayla Davis did finish the night with 22 points, Sacred Heart held her to just two made field goals in the second half, neutralizing her and, by extension, the SMC offense.
Impressively, the Lady Knights didn’t make a single sub, leaving their starting five on the floor for 32 minutes.
All five players delivered in big ways, with Emmy Lee (15) leading the way, followed by Addie Lee (12), Edyn Sharpton (10), Skylar Douglas (8), and Nicole Richards (7).
For SMC, the campaign comes to a close at 23-3, while for Sacred Heart, now 23-4, a date with Moundridge (24-2) awaits at Emporia at 4:00 on Thursday.
The Lady Knights defeated Moundridge 47-41 in the championship game of the Trojan Classic in Hillsboro earlier this winter, and are one of only two teams to beat Moundridge this season.
On the other side of the bracket, Ellinwood eliminated Rossville 55-48, while Eureka knocked off Oakley 51-45.
You can watch this game on-demand any time below.