Sub-State Report, Marais Des Cygnes at Central Christian

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A week after Caldwell in a sub-state quarterfinal game #6 seed Marais Des Cygnes Valley (14-6) traveled to #3 seed Central Christian (15-4) for a sem-ifinal match-up. The winner advanced to take on the winner of #2 seed Lebo and #7 seed Waverly at Central Christian College March 7 for a birth in the 1A Division II state tournament. The homestanding Cougars entered on a ten game winning streak. The Trojans had won five of six, losing only to 2A 17-3 Chase County by six points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central Christian led by 4 points following a sluggish first quarter by both teams. The Cougars started to click in the second and entered the break up 10. That lead ballooned to 20 heading to the fourth but the Trojans were not done. Quickly slicing into the lead Marais Des Cygnes Valley were within 10 by the four minute mark. The team could not get enough stops and were forced to foul late. The Cougars wrapped up a 59-47 win and will play #1 ranked Lebo for a state tournament berth. The Wolves eliminated Waverly 51-26 to remain undefeated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gracen</strong> <strong>Stahl</strong>, 6'0", C, Marais Des Cygnes Valley, 2026 - Stahl had a strong presence on the floor. Unfortunately she battled foul trouble through most of the game, ultimately fouling out early in the fourth quarter with her team trailing by 20. In her limited time she poured in 11 points and would have easily blown through 20 given that the Central Christian posts struggled with her ability to score with a soft touch inside and 12' jumpers. A solid, smart player with good overall size and solid north-south speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1202709' first='Akyra' last='Traver'], 5'5", PG/SG, Marais Des Cygnes Valley, 2026 - best pure basketball player on the team. Confident. Uses eurostep on finishes, unafraid of contact, gets to the line (10/15). Hit a three three pointers on the way to 23 points and dime dropping ability with soft, quick, dump passes off the drive to the block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Avery Kauffman</strong>, 5'3", SG, Central Christian, 2027 - Kaufmann's perimeter shooting had a substantial influence on Marais Des Cygnes Valley getting out of their soft 2-3 zone. While she only hit a pair on her way to 7 points it was her and teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1047962' first='Jessa' last='Losew'] as shooting threats that forced the change.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1047962' first='Jessa' last='Losew'], 5'9", SG, Central Christian, 2026 - Losew's all-around size, speed and scoring ability at the position was problem all game. She made Marais Des Cygnes Valley pay on the perimeter due to their soft defense on shooters and scoring on the move and off rebounds. She finished with 21 points including 3/8 from the line. Losew also hit the glass hard, collecting few offensive rebounds. She likely had a double-double.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mia Newcome</strong>, 5'6", CG, Central Christian, 2026 - When Marais Des Cygnes made a mad charge to cut the lead in half to ten points by the middle of the fourth quarter Newcome hit some big buckets and free throws to keep the Bulldogs at arm's length. She finished with 11 points, all coming in the second half, but hit 3/4 from the stripe down the stretch. Newcome showed solid speed and defensive quickness all game, generating a couple steals and numerous deflections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->