DesotoExplorer.com

Topeka — The DeSoto Wildcats went the distance. They never hit the canvas. But the result was a season-ending loss.

The 58-47 defeat at the hands of Topeka-Seaman in the opening round of 5A boys sub-state regional playoff action could be compared to a prizefight, coach Sean Reilly said.

"It was like a heavyweight fight that went 15 rounds and the other team got the decision," the coach said.

Senior forward Josh Goodin snags a rebound in the loss to Seaman.

The Wildcats, who finished 7-14, never gave up. Dominique Burgin's basket to close out the first quarter gave DeSoto a glimmer of hope and a 15-9 lead. The Vikings responded with a mini-run of their own and just when it appeared they had the game well in hand, DeSoto fought back.

DeSoto kicked off the second half with a 3-pointer. Later in the quarter, a Burgin free throw tied the game, 26-26.

However, the Vikings pulled away again at the end of the third quarter. A buzzer-beating tip-in from Seaman's Jeff Martens gave the Vikings a 38-32 lead.

"You can't fault our team's effort or their work ethic," Reilly said. "Our team worked very hard, they played really well, the ball just didn't go in for us."

DeSoto had one more run, a fourth-quarter barrage that began with Jason Andrews' long-range shooting. His second 3-pointer of the game cut the Seaman lead to one point with minutes to play.

That would be as close as DeSoto would get.

Baskets from Martens and Tanner Shaw sparked a Seaman run and helped the Vikings open a nine-point advantage.

A pair of free throws from Justin Palace sealed the win for Seaman and brought the curtain down on a fine season by Reilly and his players.

Andrews led the Wildcats with 18 and Jonathan Eck finished with 13. Burgin had five and Ray dropped in four. Martens was the high man for the Vikings, recording 23 points

"We had a lot of games that could have gone either way," Reilly said. "It was a learning year, a positive year and one that I will always treasure. I'm sad that it's over."

In a classy postgame gesture, Reilly led his team over to the DeSoto supporters' section, where the team applauded the support of its fans.