BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
CLAFLIN — The last time Ellinwood's girls upset Central Plains, the Oilers were in the midst of a state record 182-1 record and eight state basketball championships.
Ellinwood's Brynn Widener sparked a 57-51 Central Prairie League basketball victory over Central Plains Tuesday with five 3-pointers. The Eagles converted 10 of 19 3-pointers. Ellinwood showcased impressive shooting from long range to outscore the Oilers 30-18.
Mette Maxwell scored 14 points. Julia Schlessiger scored 11 points, blocked shots and controlled the boards. Ellinwood (14-2, 5-1 CPL) and Central Plains (13-3, 5-1 CPL) are one-half behind CPL leader St. John.
It was Ellinwood's first victory over the Oilers since Feb. 24, 2015 when the Eagles earned a 66-56 victory to snap a 44-game Oiler winning streak. After that loss, the Oilers reeled off 138 consecutive victories and multiple state championships.
"These girls believe in themselves. They played fearless," said Ellinwood coach Greg Maxwell. "It was fun to see the girls go in with a mentality of confidence. These girls are having as much fun as I've ever seen. They've embraced the speed and physical nature of girls basketball."
The Oilers athletic Marilyn Soeken scored 16 first-half points to give the Eagles' defense concern. Alyvia Batchman keyed improved second-half defense. Soeken scored 24 points before fouling out.
"Alyvia gets the task of defending the other team's best offensive player," Maxwell said. "Alyvia did a great job. Marilyn Soeken is a physically talented player. You can't take everything away. Our goal was to slow her drives to the basket. We provided some defensive help and did a much better second-half job."
The Eagles ended the first half with 3-pointers by Brynn Widener and Mette Maxwell for a 21-20 lead. Maxwell hit a pair of 3-pointers and Brynn Widener added a triple for a 35-26 lead. Ellinwood made 7 of 10 third-quarter field goals for a 42-35 lead.
"These girls have a green light shooting the basketball," Maxwell said. "When they get their feet set, we want them to shoot it because we know they're good shooters."
When the Oilers rallied with a 31-point second half, the Eagles responded with superb team play. Ayla Ritchie and Schlessiger each dished out a pair of assists and Maxwell returned the favor with an assist to Ritchie. The Eagles kept attacking offensively and found the open shooters.
"I have utmost respect for coach Pat Stiles and the way the Oilers play basketball," Maxwell said. "It's a huge win for our basketball program. The girls have learned to adjust on the run during the game. Julia Schlessiger gives us an inside presence and everyone around her can knock down shots."
Ellinwood 10 11 21 15 — 57
Central Plains 16 4 15 16 — 51
ELLINWOOD (14-2, 5-1) (FG 3 FT TP)—Brynn Widener (5-6) 0-0 15, Maxwell 4-8 (4-7) 2-2 14, Schlessiger 5-8 1-3 11, Ritchie 2-7 (0-1) 3-4 7, Regan Widener 1-1 2-2 4, Jacobs (1-1) 0-0 3, Batchman 1-9 (1-4) 1-2 3, Totals 19-40 (10-19) 9-13 57
CENTRAL PLAINS (13-3, 5-1)—Soeken 11-24 (2-8) 0-1 24, Aevyn Siemsen 4-15 (3-9) 0-0 11, Lamatsch 2-8 (1-6) 0-2 5, Emery Siemsen 1-1 0-0 2, Strouse 3-7 (0-1) 0-0 6, Green 0-0 1-2 1, Izzy Hurley 1-3 (0-1) 0-0 2, Totals 22-58 (6-25) 1-5 51
CENTRAL PLAINS 50, ELLINWOOD 46 — Peyton Dody scored seven fourth-quarter points as Central Plains survived Ellinwood's Central Prairie League upset bid 50-46 in Tuesday's Barton County basketball showdown.
Aiden Hekele scored 18 points and Brodie Crites added 11 points for the first-place leader Oilers (14-2, 5-1 CPL).
Ellinwood (10-8, 3-3 CPL) was sparked by Landon Simpson with 25 points. The Eagles converted eight 3-pointers to outscore the Oilers 24-9 from long range.
Ellinwood 11 10 10 15 — 46
Central Plains 12 13 7 18 — 50
ELLINWOOD (10-8, 3-3)—Simpson 9 (4) 3-3 25, Hosman 3 (1) 0-0 7, Heinz (2) 0-0 6, Campbell Coleman 2 1-4 5, Wirtz (1) 0-0 3, Totals 17 (8) 4-7 46
CENTRAL PLAINS (14-2, 5-1)—Hekele 7 (1) 3-4 18, Crites 4 3-4 11, Stiles 2 (1) 0-0 5, Dody 3 (1) 0-2 7, Siemsen 1 4-8 6, Daniels 1 1-2 3, Totals 18 (3) 11-22 50
