By CHARLES SPURLOCK
Special to TopSports.news
EMPORIA -- In a tough contest for the championship of the Glacier’s Edge Tournament, the top-ranked team in Class 5A, the Seaman Lady Vikings, defeated the second-ranked team in 6A, the Derby Panthers, 63-50, on Saturday.
Seaman's girls basketball team poses for a picture after Saturday's 63-50 win over Derby in the Glacier's Edge Tournament final. [Seaman Athletics]
Seaman senior Anna Becker was named the Most Valuable Player in the Glacier's Edge Tournament Saturday in Emporia. [Seaman Athletics]
The Lady Vikes improved to 13-0 on the season by defeating two of the top four teams in Class 6A on their way to the tournament title.
“We brought it today from an energy standpoint,'' Seaman coach Matt Tinsley said. "Whether it was rebounding, plus-one plays or getting on the floor for loose balls, we did what we had to do to beat a good team in Derby.”
As one should expect a championship game to be, the teams went back and forth throughout the first quarter and Seaman led 15-13 with a little over a minute remaining in the quarter. On a battle for a loose ball, senior Jaida Stallbaumer fouled a Derby player, a couple of Panther players took exception and a technical was issued on one of the players. Senior Anna Becker knocked down both technical foul shots and Seaman ended the quarter on a 7-2 run, leading 22-15 at the end of the first stanza.
The second quarter was played evenly and the Lady Vikes were able to extend their lead to 37-29 at the half. Becker scored 8 points in the quarter, giving her 14 for the half.
Derby was able to cut the lead to 46-40 with 3:15 left in the third quarter, leading to a Seaman timeout. For the next two-plus minutes, neither team scored until a basket with 50 seconds by Stallbaumer. Derby was able to hit one free throw, but senior Kinley Wilhelm hit a jump shot at the buzzer to give Seaman a 50-41 lead going to the fourth quarter.
“Our ‘next play’ mentality was good throughout the game and I thought all the girls contributed in their own way to help us win this tournament,'' Tinsley said. "We talk all the time about how you can help us win a game just by making one play.”
Seaman’s lead never dropped below nine points throughout the final quarter and the Lady Vikes made their free throws down the stretch, posting the 13-point win.
Derby junior forward Macayla Askew is one of the top players in 6A this season and the Lady Vikes were able to hold her to only 4 points, all coming in the final quarter. “We saw her take over the game last night and use her athletic ability, so we wanted to try and limit easy looks.”
As the page turns to the final six weeks of the season, Tinsley said, “It’s February basketball time now! We want to keep working to get better and not accept that we have a ceiling. Our kids understand what’s in front of us and they are hungry. I want the girls to stay in ‘attack mode’ and trust their abilities.”
Balance is the strength of this Seaman team. In their seven-player rotation, each one has scored at least 14 points in a game this season. The Lady Vikes were led by tournament Most Valuable Player Becker with 21 points. Wilhelm dropped in 13 points and Stallbaumer and junior Maddie Gragg both scored 9 points. Senior Ava Esser once again led in rebounds with 11 and both Becker and Wilhelm grabbed eight boards each. Stallbaumer led the Lady Vikes with five assists.
The Panthers were led by three in double figures. Freshman Sarai Graham had 17 points, senior Kallie Rickords scored 12 and freshman Siaunna Carter dropped in 10 points.
Seaman will be in action on Tuesday night as they travel to conference foe Basehor-Linwood.
SEAMAN GIRLS 63, DERBY 50
Derby 15 14 12 9 -- 50
Seaman 22 15 13 13 -- 63
Derby (10-2) -- Demel 3-6 0-2 7, Fox 0-3 0-0 0, Rickords 6-16 0-0 12, Graham 6-10 2-3 17, Carter 4-8 0-0 10, Askew 1-7 2-3 4, Harris 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-50 4-8 50.
Seaman (13-0) -- Stallbaumer 3-6 3-6 9, Miller 1-1 0-0 2, Beaton 1-2 0-0 3, Becker 6-15 5-6 21, Wilhelm 4-9 3-4 13, Gragg 2-12 4-4 9, Esser 3-6 0-0 6. Totals 20-51 15-20 63.
3-point goals -- Derby 6 (Graham 3, Carter 2, Demel), Seaman 8 (Becker 4, Wilhelm 2, Beaton, Gragg). Total fouls -- Derby 16, Seaman 13. Fouled out -- none. Technical foul -- Askew.
GLACIER’S EDGE TOURNAMENT
RESULTS SATURDAY
Emporia 39, Wichita Northwest 25
Topeka High 51, Wichita South 45
Wichita Heights 62, SM South 46
Seaman 63, Derby 50
