Hesston repeats in 3A with win over Cimarron

Hutchinson, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Cimarron and Hesston, the top two teams in Class 3A, and the lone unbeatens in Class 3A, met up Saturday afternoon at the Hutchinson Sports Arena to decide who would be the undefeated state champion. Hesston came in with a 40-game win streak with a chance to win their second straight title, while Cimarron was looking for their first state championship in 1998, a year in which the Lady Bluejays went undefeated. Despite a tie and two lead changes early on, the Lady Swathers would lead build up an early lead, and hold off each Cimarron run, to claim the 2015 title with a 54-40 victory

Hesston’s heighth and length proved to be troublesome for Cimarron. Hesston had eight of their 12 players listed as 5’9″ or taller. The Lady Bluejays trailed 12-5 after the first quarter, and 25-17 at the break. After a three by Cimarron (25-1) pulled them to within five early in the second half, the Lady Swathers locked down on defense and never looked back. They would hit a pair of three’s to go up 31-20 and took a 38-28 lead going into the final eight minutes. The Lady Bluejays were unable to put together a string of points to get them back within striking distance, as Hesston (26-0) pulled away again late to win 54-40

Cimarron struggled from the field, shooting only 32%, and were led by future Tabor Lady Bluejay Morgan Ediger with 12 points, while Marlee Rath and Kari Blattner scored six each. The Lady Bluejays stayed in the game by hitting eight three-pointers, but hit only four two-point baskets. Hesston was led by Caylee Richardson with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Cami Richardson had a game-best 18 points and Kelsey Unruh finished with 12. The Lady Swathers finished shooting 55% for the game, and outrebounded Cimarron 34-12. Cimarron’s defense played pretty good, forcing 18 Swather turnovers.