picture courtesy of Brad Anderson 

The Abilene High School basketball teams swept an opponent for the first time since December 10, 2022 with a pair of victories last night at Concordia.  It was the final tune-up before the S.I.T.

ABILENE COWGIRLS 49  CONCORDIA 45

CONCORDIA: The Abilene Cowgirls collected their first victory since January 20, 2023 Friday night.  Abilene started fast as they registered 32 first half points. The Cowgirls totaled 18 points in the 2^nd quarter, a quarter in which they connected on 4 three-pointers. They entered the game averaging 31 ppg.  Tessa Herrman was part of the fast start as she had 16 of her career-high 21 points by halftime.

The second half cooled off offensively but turned to their defense.  Concordia grabbed the lead at 43-42 after they had started the 4^th on a 6-0 run.  The run was capped on a Stella Trost basket with 6:12 to play in the game.  Concordia would manage just 2 points the rest of the night.  The Lady Panthers were within 48-45 with inside of a minute to go and possession.  Herrman then came up big with a steal with 22 seconds left.  She was fouled and knocked down a free-throw to ice the game.  Herrman finished the night 8-10 at the line.

Abilene improved to 1-6, 1-3 with the victory.  Concordia fell to 1-6, 1-2 with the loss.  The Lady Panthers were led by Charlize Cash, who totaled a team-high 15 points.  Abilene will play Thursday in the S.I.T. at Salina South against the #1 seed, Buhler.  Concordia will compete in the Orange and Black Classic, at Colby, against Wellington at 4:45.

𝗖𝗼𝘄𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀    14  32  42  49  (1-6, 1-3)
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮  15  25  37  45  (1-6, 1-2)
𝗔𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: Tessa Herrman 21, Timber Taylor 8, Renatta Heintz 8, MaKenna Stover 5, Kinzie Crump 3, Kit Barbierri 2, Klovis Stover 2

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: Charlize Cash 15, Rylie Jessup 12, Marlee VanMeter 6, Stella Trost 5, Jaylin Roush 4, Kinsleigh Bethune 2, Avery Kueker 1

CITY PLUMBING HEATING AND COOLING PLAYER OF THE GAME

Freshman, Tessa Herrman a career-high 21 points

Senior, Renatta Heintz she finished with 8 points and showed tremendous leadership

ABILENE COWBOYS 68  CONCORDIA 53

CONCORDIA: The Abilene Cowboys put the pain of Tuesday’s loss behind them Friday night with their most impressive victory of the season.  Abilene fell at Marysville Tuesday 65-60.  A loss in which they led most of the game.  Friday night Abilene dominated from the opening tip and led by as many as 26 points in the 3^rd quarter over the #5 and previously undefeated Panthers.

Abilene finished with three players in double-figures Tyler Hollway 14, Ian Crump 14 and Weston Rock 12.  The #8 Cowboys improved to 5-2, 3-1 with the victory and helped their odds repeating as NCKL Champions. Abilene will play Thursday, at Salina South, vs the Cougars at 7:30.  The Cowboys are the #3 seed.  Concordia fell to 6-1, 2-1 with the loss.  They were led by Chane Parker, who finished with 12 points. The Panthers will play Hays, at 3 pm, at the Orange and Black Classic at Colby.

#𝟴 𝗖𝗼𝘄𝗯𝗼𝘆𝘀   20  41  57  68  (5-2, 3-1)
#𝟱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮 11  21  35  53  (6-1, 2-1)
𝗔𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: Ian Crump 14, Tyler Holloway 14, Weston Rock 12, Jaxson Cuba 9, Levi Evans 8, Taygen Funston 4, Thomas Keener 4, Jackson Green 3

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: Chane Parker 12, Peyton Retter 11, Luke Donovan 9, Ian Loudermilk 9, Boone Richard 5, Ayden Krier 4, Isaias Irigoyen 2

CITY PLUMBING HEATING AND COOLING PLAYER OF THE GAME

Senior, Ian Crump 14 points

Senior, Weston Rock, 12 points

Junior, Taygen Funston, 4 points and showed tremendous energy on both ends of the floor