Free-throw accuracy leads Jayhawk-Linn into tonight's final

OSAGE CITY, Kan. -- Jayhawk-Linn's girls had only one field goal in the fourth quarter of Thursday night's Osage City Class 3A Sub-State semifinal contest but accuracy at the free-throw line held off Allen-Northern Heights in a 45-41 victory.

The third-seeded Jayhawks (17-5) will take on No. 5 Burlington (16-6) in tonight's championship game. The winner moves to the Class 3A State Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan., next week.

The Jayhawks went 11 for 12 at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. Meriel Long was five of six there herself and also had the only field goal of the quarter, a three-pointer.

"Our girls played with a lot of intensity," Jayhawk-Linn head coach Charlie Beckman said. "This was a very good win for us. We feel good about ourselves and where we're at right now. We had a very good defensive effort."

Long led the 'Hawks with 15 points. Taylor Dawson followed with 12 and Chelsea Beckman added 10. The only other Jayhawk to score was Cassie Rockers, who had eight points.

Jayhawk-Linn led 21-19 at halftime and boosted the lead only a little bit to 32-29 after three quarters.

The Jayhawks had 34 rebounds with Beckman and Dawson each grabbing nine. Long had three steals while she and Beckman each dished four assists.