By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
HUTCHINSON -- Silver Lake’s bid for a Class 3A girls state title came to end with a heartbreaking 59-53 loss to Goodland on Friday afternoon.
“I am proud of the way our girls fought until the very end,” Silver Lake coach Kyle Porter said. “We were able to fight through adversity and bring the game within three (points). Goodland is a really good team. Big, athletic and they are tough to simulate.
“This one was tough.”
The Lady Eagles had been dominant the entire season and Silver Lake had been 3A’s No.1-ranked team for six weeks and three days prior to Friday's loss.
Silver Lake's record was 12-10 in 2020-2021 and the Eagles were an impressive 23-2 after Friday's loss. Silver Lake will play Nickerson, a 59-52 semifinal loser to Hugoton, in Saturday's 2 p.m. third-place game.
Silver Lake's girls will try to bounce back in Saturday's Class 3A third-place game after a 59-53 semifinal loss to Goodland on Friday. [Photo by Isaac Deer}
Silver Lake returns every player from its state roster next season. The Eagles’ starting five was comprised of three sophomores and two juniors.
“This experience for our kids was invaluable,” Porter said. “There was a wide range of emotions and understanding the gravity of the situation. This experience was huge for our team and our program.
“Hopefully we can make it back here next year.”
Silver Lake didn’t fold when things didn't go their way, battling through every possession.
Unfortunately for Silver Lake, when things went the Eagles' way for a small sliver of time, Goodland would have an answer.
In the first quarter, both teams started a bit shaky. The tension and nerves were evident early in the game.
Although both teams were rattled, points were coming at a decently fast rate for both teams.
Kaibryn Kruger was a big part of the Lady Eagles' first quarter success. K. Kruger was able to score seven points, block a corner 3-point attempt and steal the ball to set up Kaylee Deiter in the paint.
Goodland’s offensive outburst in the second quarter would be a large factor in why the Cowgirls were able to advance to Saturday's state championship game.
Goodland started off of the quarter on a 12-2 run. Silver Lake would manage a 7-0 run before the Cowgirls would finish out on a 6-0 run.
The Cowgirls shot nearly 50% from the field in the quarter while Silver Lake managed to shoot 20% from the field.
Silver Lake would need a terrific third quarter in order to turn the game in their favor.
Offensively the quarter would go on to be a solid one, defensively, not as much. It was a back and forth slugfest.
Goodland junior Talexa Weeter, who had a game-high 20 points, answered back for every Lake conversion. Weeter and the Cowgirls’ efforts made it increasingly difficult for Silver Lake to come out on top.
The Lady Eagles decreased a 15-point deficit to a 9-point deficit by the end of the quarter.
Stellar shooting from McKinley Kruger and key shots from Deiter would bring Silver Lake within three.
Weeter, Jaxi Mitchek and Emma Lehman would hush the Silver Lake faithful and take control of the game with two minutes to go.
All the Lady Eagles could do late was foul and hope for the best and Goodland held on for the win.
“Our season isn’t over, we have a game tomorrow,” Porter said. “It will be important for us to respond tomorrow from tonight’s game.”
GOODLAND GIRLS 59, SILVER LAKE 53
Goodland – 12 18 19 10 – 59
Silver Lake – 13 9 18 13 – 53
Silver Lake (23-2) – Farmer 5-12 0-0 11, McDaniel 2-6 0-0 4, K. Kruger 5-13 1-2 14, M. Kruger 4-10 4-5 16, Ross 0-3 2-2 2, Deiter 2-3 2-2 6.
Goodland (23-2) – Biermann 0-1 2-2 2, Mitchek 5-9 0-1 12, Weeter 8-13 3-5 20, Cure 1-3 1-5 4, O. Lehman 4-5 1-2 11, E. Lehman 3-9 2-2 10.
3-point goals – Silver Lake 8 (M. Kruger 4, K. Kruger 3, Farmer), Goodland 8 (E. Lehman 2, O. Lehman 2, Mitchek 2, Weeter, Cure). Team fouls – Silver Lake 17, Goodland 11. Fouled out – Silver Lake, Deiter. Technical fouls – none.
