DesotoExplorer.com

An emotionally spent DeSoto squad that the court last Saturday night, one win away from a berth in the Kansas Class 5A tournament.

The Wildcats, a day removed from a thrilling and unexpected 32-31 double-overtime victory over Bonner Springs in their sub-state semifinal game, were flat in the finals against a talented Shawnee Heights team playing at home.

Talent and the homecourt advantage proved to be too much for DeSoto, which saw its season come to an end after a 54-27 loss to the Thunderbirds.

DeSoto players sit dejectedly on the bench during the closing minutes of Saturday's 54-27 loss to Shawnee Heights.

"We knew we were in for a long night," said DeSoto coach Mark Peck. "The girls played hard and never gave up. They were tired from (Friday's) emotionally draining victory.

"I'm proud of the way they performed."

The Thunderbirds established the tempo early with an impressive fullcourt press DeSoto was unable to solve. The result was a 14-0 run for Shawnee Heights and a 17-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.

"We executed the things we needed to do well to win the game," said Shawnee Heights coach Pat Buchanan. "DeSoto didn't quit. They were well-coached and should be good in the future."

Faced with an early deficit, DeSoto toughened, as it has all year. The Wildcats whittled the lead with a little run in the second quarter. Julie Beck scored off an inbound pass, was fouled and she converted the 3-point play.

Next, Tiffany Bernard took a nice pass from Erica Francis and was hacked on the arm as she swished a turn-around jumper. Bernard hit the foul shot to complete the 3-point play.

On the heels of a Shawnee Heights turnover Sarah Robinson dropped in a jumper. Another free throw from Bernard and, suddenly, the Wildcats had shaved the Shawnee Heights lead to single digits.

That was as close as they would get. The Thunderbirds pounded the ball underneath to their baseline bruisers, Maggie Diehl and Dani McHenry, to re-establish the lead. Shawnee Heights went into the locker room at halftime up 33-13 and remained in control the remainder of the game.

"I'm proud of this team as a whole," said DeSoto senior Shelly Carlson. "I am proud because of how much they accomplished and the way they battled. This team has a lot of heart and that is how we came this far. It was a great year."

Bernard led the Lady Wildcats with 17, nine of those points came at the free-throw line. Francis finished with four, Beck had three, and Robinson ended with two.

Shawnee Heights featured a balanced offensive attack led by three players, Diehl, McHenry and Rachel Bacon, who each scored nine.

"The team improved well over the year," Peck said. "This last month they have played hard, aggressive basketball and made it to the championship game."

DeSoto 32

Bonner Springs 31 (2 OT)

Peck, called it "unbelievable, as the Wildcats beat Bonner, thanks to a pair of free throws from Tiffany Bernard.

"The kids just battled and battled," Pack said. "They could have easily folded the tent, but they didn't. They just kept fighting."

With 30 seconds remaining in the second overtime, and DeSoto up by a point, Bernard was fouled while driving to the basket. The 5-8 junior calmly swished both free throws to give DeSoto a 32-29 advantage.

"I wasn't nervous," Bernard said. "I didn't know how close the game was at that point. I had been in sort of a free-throw slump lately. I just did what I had to do to win."

The game was not over, though. Bonner Springs drove down court and cut the Wildcats' lead to one point on a bucket in the paint from Holly Thompson.

After a timeout, the inbound pass bounced harmlessly out of play as the final buzzer sounded.

The Lady Braves had an opportunity to break the tie at the end of regulation, but Kim Zarate's free throws bounced off the rim.

With time running out in the first overtime Bonner Springs' Rachel Williams tied the game, 27-27. A steal by Bonner Springs' Becky Brents on the following play and a foul put her at the line with another chance for the Braves to win. Again, the Wildcats dodged a bullet as the front end of a one-and-one refused to drop for Brents.

Bernard led the Lady Wildcats with 15. Erica Francis finished with five, Sarah Robinson and Tina Wiggins each put in four. Berry led Bonner Springs with 10 and Brents had nine.