BonnerSprings.com

The Bonner Springs girls basketball team had its season come to an end Thursday night, falling 59-44 at Shawnee Heights in the first round of Class 5A substate play.

The Bravettes put forth a solid first two quarters and trailed 30-25 at halftime, but they struggled early in the third quarter. They turned the ball over three straight times and allowed Shawnee Heights to score six points in one minute. That helped the T-Birds stretch their lead to 11 points.

“We couldn’t come back from those mistakes,” coach Clay Oakes said.

Bonner Springs recovered and traded baskets much of the way through the third quarter before Heights extended the lead in the fourth quarter.

Freshman Haley Hoffine tallied 12 points and Yessinia Hernandez added nine to lead the Bravettes.

“We knew it would be a tough matchup going into the game,” Oakes said. “Their record was not any indication of how good they are. They play a tough schedule and they lost a couple of games against (6A) schools.”

Cierra Ceazer led the way for the T-Birds. She scored 25 points and was a difficult player to guard.

The loss ended a season where the Bravettes started slow but finished strong.

They played better in the second half of the season. They cut down on their turnovers and played better defense, but they could not get enough inside scoring.

“We played three freshmen this year,” Oakes said. “It was good for them to get the experience and I think they can be leaders on this team next year.”

Hoffine, one of those freshmen that benefited from the varsity playing time, led the team in scoring in three of the final six games of the season.

Sophomores Erin Marx and Erica Wilson split time at center for the Bravettes this season. While they showed flashes of greatness at times and are main focal points for the offense, Oakes said this offseason will be important for their development as players. He also said his young centers need to be more aggressive.

“They have never had to play really physical before this year,” Oakes said. “They need to not get pushed around and maybe do some pushing of their own. If they can become more aggressive, they will be better players.”

The loss to SHHS marked the end of the careers of seniors Lynsey Ostman and Meg Fowler. Oakes said both would be missed.

“Lynsey Ostman is one of those players that goes really hard when she is on the floor,” Oakes said. “We could always count on her to lay everything on the floor. We will miss her intensity.

Oakes said Fowler brought a different demeanor that helped the team.

“Meg was always upbeat and positive off the floor and in practice,” he said. “She was more of a spiritual leader.”

As for next year, Oakes is looking for his younger players to become a bigger part of the equation as the Bravettes try to build on this season’s 6-15 record.

“I feel like we have a good group of young girls that can lead the team, and when they are needed they can step up,” Oakes said.

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