By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Ellsworth girl’s basketball team got off to a strong start in their sub-state semifinal on Thursday but fizzled out in the second half as their season came to an end 45-26 at the hands of Goodland.
Both defenses came to play early, but it was Ellsworth who held a 9-5 edge at the end of the first quarter.
Each team managed to get their offense going in the second, but despite four different Cowgirls scoring, the Lady Bearcats still led 15-14 at the halftime intermission.
Then, disaster struck.
Ellsworth was held without a bucket for the first four minutes of the third quarter, and managed just five points in the frame, as Goodland exploded off the line to take a 13-point lead.
The Lady Bearcats battled, but 13 second-half turnovers proved too much to overcome as Goodland pulled away to win by 19.
Just four members of the Ellsworth lineup managed to score, led by a 13-point performance by Lainey Peschka.
On the other side of the matchup, Goodland had two players in double figures, anchored by McKenna Schick (14) and Libby Cure (10) on a night where eight different Cowgirls would score.
For Ellsworth, a fantastic campaign comes to a close at 15-6.
Goodland, now 16-6, will travel to Scott City for a sub-state championship game with Colby on Saturday.