From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
MANHATTAN, Kan. — St. Mary’s-Colgan advanced to the boys’ Class 2A semifinals Thursday by defeating Olpe 63-40 in the quarterfinals at Bramlage Coliseum.
The Panthers (20-3) face Seneca-Nemaha Valley (15-9) in the semifinals at 4:45 p.m. today. Nemaha Valley defeated top-seeded Spearville 52-48 in Thursday’s opening game.
The Panthers beat Nemaha Valley in the semifinals last year en route to their eighth consecutive championship game appearance.
Colgan, which led 21-13 at halftime, outscored Olpe 25-13 in the third quarter for a 46-26 advantage.
The hot-shooting Panthers made 19-of-22 free throws, including 16-of-18 in the second half, and hit 22-of-37 shots from the field.
Jesse Watt, who made 5-of-6 field-goal attemps, led Colgan with 13 points.
Zach Smith had 11 points for the Panthers and Christian Smith scored 10. Andy Farmer led the Panthers with six assists.
Bradley Agrabright led Olpe with 16 points and three steals.
Class 3A Girls
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Jefferson County North broke open a close game by outscoring Frontenac 14-2 in the third quarter of a 57-39 victory in the quarterfinals at Hutchinson Sports Arena.
Jordan Kramer led Jefferson County North (23-1) with 20 points.
Senior Emily Barto paced Frontenac (17-7) with 13 points and 12 rebounds, and teammate Amanda Cicero scored nine points and had seven rebounds.
Jefferson County North, 23-1, advanced to the semifinals at 3 p.m. today against Marion, which defeated Beloit 49-44.
Class 4A Girls
SALINA, Kan. — Riding a 20-game winning streak, Girard battles Concordia at 6:30 p.m. today in a Class 4A girls semifinal at the Bicentennial Center.
The Trojans, however, have the shorter winning streak entering the game.
Defending state champion Concordia has won 50 in a row after Wednesday’s 45-38 quarterfinal victory over Basehor-Linwood.
