Cassidy Haufler & Mayda Stallbaumer

Competing at the State level is not a foreign thing for the Centralia Panthers and the lady Panthers are head back to another State tournament in basketball by claiming the Class 1A-Division I Sub-State title at Frankfort over the weekend.

A big part of the Panthers success has been the team chemistry and balanced attack they have, but also the continually development of the post play throughout the season, as sophomore, Cassidy Haufler and junior, Mayda Stallbaumer have been a dynamic duo inside for Centralia.

The duo helped lead Centralia past Immaculata in the Semifinals of Sub-State as Centralia pounced early on the Raiders and both Haufler and Stallbaumer registered 12 points in the first half apiece, finishing with 12 and 16 points, respectively as the Panthers won 53-21. Cassidy and Mayda followed that up with 18 and 10 points in the Sub-State Championship win over Valley Heights, 57-36. Haufler finished Sub-State 12-12 from the free throw line to add to her performance, while both gals wreaked havoc on the boards.

Throughout the season especially in the second half of the year the Panthers have relied upon their post presence and both Haufler and Stallbaumer have been steady hands with 12 double figure scoring games each. Cassidy leads the team averaging 13.3 ppg and 9 rpg, while Mayda posts 9.2 ppg and nearly 5 rpg and both gals shot easily over 50% from the floor.

It’s been a banner year already for Centralia as they won their 10^th Twin Valley League tournament title (most in the TVL girls or boys team), finished fourth in the League and tout a 19-4 record headed into State. It won’t be easy at State as the Panthers will be the seven seed in Emporia for the Class 1A-Division I State tourney but they look to challenge for another State title to put in the trophy case in Centralia behind the play of Cassidy Haufler and Mayda Stallbaumer inside the paint and their teammates.