1A Girls | The Wichita Eagle

At Busch-Gross Coliseum, Hays

Wednesday's Quarterfinals

3 p.m.

No. 8 Wilson (17-8)

The Dragons are making their first state tournament appearance. A balanced offense _ six players average between six and 12.8 points _ is led by freshman Karlie Steinle, who scored 33 in a win over Natoma in January and had a stretch of six games scoring at least 14 points. Five-foot-9 junior Taylor Schoenhofer is a defensive presence, supplementing her nine points with 8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 4.1 steals.

No. 1 South Gray (25-0)

South Gray enters as the top seed for the second straight year _ it lost to St. John in last year's final a season after winning the title. Before a two-point win over Pratt Skyline in the sub-state final, no team had played South Gray within 13 points. Brigit Hesser averages 17.4 points, one of three players with at least 12.6.

4:45 p.m.

No. 5 Frankfort (23-2)

The Wildcats' strength is defense _ they allow a 27.3 shooting percentage and out-rebound opponents by nearly five. Chelsea Keating averages 13.9 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.4 blocks and has recorded three triple-doubles in those categories. A quick start is key for Frankfort, which allows an average of 6.2 points in the first quarter.

No. 4 St. John (24-1)

The defending champion, riding a 24-game winning streak, lost six seniors but has had younger players capably fill those positions. Floor leader Brooke Burgan, a 5-foot-4 senior point guard, averages 12 points while shooting 41 percent from three-point range. St. John relies on its defense, which allows 29 points.

6:30 p.m.

No. 7 Lincoln (18-7)

Lincoln appears in the 1A tournament for the first time _ it appeared in 2A in 1990 and won the 2A title 10 years earlier. Freshman Jenna Farris, a 5-foot-6 guard, averages 23.5 points in leading a top seven that doesn't feature a senior. Success in Hays could hinge on the ability of role players to aid Farris in scoring.

No. 2 Argonia (25-0)

Argonia is trying to get past the first round for the first time after losing there last season and in 1993. The Red Raiders have 15 wins by at least 30 points, including two 77-point wins and four others by more than 50. The Red Raiders feature four players averaging at least 12 points, led by Ashton Stansbury's 14.2. Brooke Boatright averages 13 points and seven rebounds.

8:15 p.m.

No. 6 Tribune (20-5)

The Jackrabbits started 2-2 and lost 2 of 3 before wins over Northern Valley and Lucas-Luray got them to the state tournament. Point guard MacKenzi Bender, the only senior, averages 7.1 points and Kelli Crittenden is a consistent scorer, averaging 12.5 points with a high of 23. Tribune reached the state tournament from 2001-03 but won one tourney game in that stretch.

No. 3 St. Paul (24-0)

This is St. Paul's fourth state trip since 2001 and sixth overall, all under coach Doug Tuck. A starting lineup that includes three seniors and two juniors is led by junior Morgan Westhoff, who averages 19.6 points and 6.4 rebounds. Strong defense and limiting turnovers will be key.

Thursday's Semifinals

Wilson-South Gray winner vs. Frankfort-St. John winner, 3 p.m.

Lincoln-Argonia winner vs. Tribune-St. Paul winner, 6:30

Friday's Finals

Third-place game, 2 p.m.

Championship, 5:30

The Eagle's picks

Joanna Chadwick: South Gray over Argonia

Jeffrey Lutz: South Gray over St. Paul