By CONOR NICHOLL
While no southeast Kansas team won a state basketball tournament game, multiple squads achieved school history and breakout performances.
In 4A, Labette County girls finished 18-5 and lost to Wamego, 36-34, in the state quarterfinals. Madison Brannin went over 1,000 career points for longtime LC coach Kristi Snider. LC has made state back-to-back seasons and six times in the last eight years.
In 3A, Frontenac girls went 15-6 and lost to Nickerson, 47-40, in the first round. Frontenac was Forever Four and final four the last two winters. Frontenac three-sport standout Heather Arnett, like Brannin, were both SIK player of the year finalists. Arnett has committed to Pittsburg State softball.
Both Colgan squads qualified in 2A. No. 8 Colgan boys went 14-9 with a three-point loss to Valley Falls, which was the last undefeated boys’ squad in Kansas this winter. The Panthers were 4-17 and 9-12 the last two winters, highly rare down seasons under legendary coach Wayne Cichon. Colgan girls went 21-1 with a 39-26 loss to Garden Plain.
In 2021, Colgan girls won the first two state games in school history and finished as 2A state runner-up to Sterling. Colgan completed the first undefeated regular season in school annals. The Panthers had a bevy of star players, including posts Lily Brown, Lauren Torrance and post guard Lauren Yaghmour. Brown was a 2A SIK POY finalist.
Also in the Craw-Kan territory, 2A Uniontown girls, 1A-I St. Paul girls, 1A-I Marmaton Valley girls completed fine seasons in the Three Rivers League. Uniontown completed a 19-4 season. Marmaton Valley went 11-7, including a win against Uniontown. St. Paul went 18-3.
Uniontown star senior point guard Danielle Howard was again named a 2A finalist. She finished with 18.4 points, 5.5 steals, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists a contest. She is Uniontown’s all-time scorer with 1,380 points, career steals leader (440), and most 3s made in a game (10).
Three girls were unanimous first team all-league: Howard, Marmaton Valley sophomore Janae Granere, and Arma-Northeast junior Liberty Sigmon. MV finished with its best record in at least 16 seasons.
St. Paul had three players named first team: seniors Elise Doherty, Emerald Struthers-O’Brien and junior Josey Harris. Two Pleasanton girls were first team: senior Bailey Myrick and sophomore Eryn Sabine.
