SALINA, Kan – The McPherson High School Girls Basketball team started off the 2024 State Tournament with a bang, defeating the Ottawa Cyclones 66-44 in the quarterfinals.
A strong start by the Bullpups put them up 21-12 after one quarter. A second-quarter run by both teams would make it 30-21 with around three minutes remaining in the first half, but a 9-0 Bullpup run to end the half followed by a 25-10 run through the fourth quarter put McPherson up by their largest lead of 33 with around five minutes remaining. Ottawa would start to mount a comeback, but the defense slowed the attempt.
Karter Alvord led all Bullpups with 18 points, shooting 7-10 on the floor. Freshman Jaela Thompson had 14 points, shooting a perfect 6-6 on the floor in her first career state tournament game. She also finished with 6 assists, 6 rebounds and 6 steals. Jayla McLeod finished with 13 and Reanna Eilrich had 9.
The win guarantees two more games on the season, regardless of a win or a loss in the semifinals. The Bullpups will face No. 1 seed Wellington Friday, March 8 at 2 p.m. Coverage can be heard on 98.9/1540 KMCP.
