Kennedy Becker

Down 18 points going into the fourth quarter the Centralia girls were just looking to make the game competitive down the stretch and force unbeaten Cunningham to feel a little bit of pressure in the opening game of the Class 1A State Tournament in Dodge City.

What the Panthers did instead was something that nobody saw coming as they came all the way to tie the game with under a minute to play before Kennedy Becker won it with a lay-up with 15 seconds to go giving Centralia an improbable 48-46 upset victory.

Becker was the difference maker in the win, as the senior finished with 15 points in the fourth quarter and 21 for the game on 9-of-10 shooting from the field.

She did everything in the fourth quarter hitting a couple of mid-range jumpers while being strong on the inside picking up a couple of lay-ups to pull the Panthers back.

Unfortunately for the Panthers and Becker that win was short-lived, as just hours later KSHSAA made the announcement that due to the growing concerns of COVID-19 all state tournaments throughout Kansas would be cancelled with no semifinal games to be played.

It capped off Becker’s fantastic season which resulted in her being named a second-team all-Twin Valley League selection after averaging just over 12 points and eight rebounds per game.

She shot nearly 60 percent from the floor on the year which led the team and from the free throw line was second on the team at 63 percent.

Becker ended her career with one of her best performances of her career and will go out as a winner ending with a victory at the state tournament.

(photo courtesy of cjonline)