Clearwater, KS

On Tuesday night it was Semi Final action in class 4A for the Holton girls basketball team, traveling over three hours to Clearwater for the contest. In class 4A you need just two wins to get to the state tournament, and Holton took that first step in doing so as the 'Cats took down Clearwater by a final of 52-33.

Clearwater jumped out early to a five nothing lead as Holton missed their first four shot attempts on the night and looked as if nerves were playing a factor. After the 'Cats settled in and saw the ball go through the hoop a few times they climbed back into the game trailing just 11-9 at the end of the first quarter. The second frame started very similar to the first with Clearwater extending their lead to 16-11 with just over three minutes left in the first half. That's when something clicked offensively for Holton as they would end the first half on an 11-2 run to go into the halftime break leading 22-18. Whatever clicked for the 'Cats in the second quarter, continued into the third as Holton came out firing on all cylinders scoring nineteen points in the frame while their defensive intensity started to peak. Holton held Clearwater scoreless in the third quarter until the 1:40 mark when the Indians finally hit a three point basket, but the writing was on the wall as Holton had ballooned their lead all the way up to a score of 41-22 at the end of the third. In the fourth, it was business as usual for Holton as they would only allow Clearwater as close as 15 in the frame and would roll to a 55-33 victory.

#9 Holton (12-9) had a sluggish start but found their groove quickly in the game, led by Junior Saydee Tanking who could not miss on the night. Tanking finished with 25 points while going 10/12 from the foul line. Even more important, the 'Cats showed a defensive presence that Clearwater was not ready for. Holton dominated the hustle plays, rebounds and frustrated the Indians best player, Freshman Carly Carlson, all night long. Holton was able to get to the foul line twenty five times while making sixteen tosses and as a team had only nine fouls in the entire game. Holton put together one of their best outings of the year and have now earned their spot in a 4A sub state championship game Friday at #1 Nickerson. They will need to duplicate this performance on Friday in hopes to stepping onto the state tournament floor in Salina next week.

SCORING – S. Tanking 25, M. Patch 9, D. Hickman 6, O. Yingst 6, F. Haussler 5, T. Moore 1

#8 Clearwater (12-9) started off each half strong from the floor, but wasn't able to maintain the successful shooting versus a tough Wildcat defense. Carlson came into the game averaging 15+ points per game but was held in check by the 'Cats on Tuesday as she finished with just four points, all in the first half. Overall the Indians showed they wanted to light it up from the outside, however the shots just were not falling as Clearwater finished the game with over 20 three's shot while making just six. Only losing two seniors on their roster in Christine Cleary and Bella Willis, this Indians team will be right back in the thick of things next season.

Scoring – K. Cleavenger 14, B. Willis 6, C. Carlson 4, B. Berlin 4, C. Cleary 3, L. Streit 2

Check out mscsports.net for updated brackets, broadcast schedules and results for all area teams as March Madness is upon us in Northeast Kansas.