The Centralia Panthers are headed back to the Substate championship after rolling past the Frankfort Wildcats, 70-21, in a Girls Class 1A Division I Substate Semifinal.

Centralia came out strong, building an 18-7 lead by the end of the first quarter and extending it to 43-14 at halftime. The Panthers continued to dominate in the second half, pushing the margin past 40 points by the start of the fourth quarter, which triggered a running clock. Centralia’s bench played the entire final period to close out the game.

The Panthers were disruptive on defense, forcing around 20 steals, and controlled the glass with well over 30 rebounds in a commanding performance.

Tava Gibbs led Centralia with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and two steals. The Panthers had more than 10 players score in the game, with both Josie Haverkamp and Tava Gibbs recording double-doubles.

Frankfort was led by Ashlyn Dalinghaus, who finished with nine points, including two three-pointers.

Centralia will now face the Clifton-Clyde Eagles at Clifton-Clyde High School in the Substate championship on Saturday. The matchup is a rematch of last year’s Substate title game, which Centralia won 54-43. The Panthers also defeated the Eagles earlier this season, 40-29, in their first game back from winter break.