By CONOR NICHOLL
Pittsburg-Colgan girls’ basketball finished with the second-best finish in school history. The Panthers went 25-1 and took third place in Class 2A under longtime coach Abby Farabi. She cleared 200 career wins this season. Colgan won the CNC title and took its lone loss in an overtime defeat to Riverside in the state semifinals.
Two years ago, Colgan was second in 2A, the first season the Panthers had won a state game. This week, SIK released its all-state teams. Junior Lily Brown and senior Lauren Torrance, both at least 6-foot, were again first team all-state selections. Brown was the runner-up to 2A player of the year behind Riverside’s Taylor Weishaar.
Torrance is now at 1,115 career points, Brown with 1,161.
Lisa Elmer, who graduated in 2009, is Colgan’s all-time leading scorer with 1,169 points, according to Kansas historian Brad Doebele. The 5-11 Elmer played several years with Pittsburg State basketball.
Brown and Torrance were first team unanimous all-CNC league. Frontenac senior Hattie Pyle was unanimous first team, along with Galena senior Mia Sarwinski. Riverton senior Jacy Thomasson was first team all-league. The quintet was highly acclaimed. Thomasson is top-five all-time in Kansas history in volleyball kills and will play college volleyball at Pittsburg State. Pyle helped Frontenac to a fourth straight state appearance.
Sarwisnki is Galena’s all-time leading scorer with 1,552 points. Pyle also cleared 1,000 career points.
Colgan was 12-0 in league play, Frontenac second at 10-2. Riverton third at 6-6. Colgan freshman Jakayla Davis was second team all-league. Panther junior Polona Kalan, known for her defense, was honorable mention all-league.
Last season, Colgan was undefeated entering the state tournament and lost to Garden Plain in the first round.
