2A Elkhart Girls - Wildcats upend Lady 'Dawgs, again

It's hard enough to beat the same team three times in one season. But to go 3-0 against the same opponent, and have the game decided in the final seconds each time, that's a rarity.

Unless you're 2019-20 Elkhart High School Girls Basketball playing against Syracuse.

In three games where the final tallies were separated by just five total points, it was the Lady Wildcats who found a way to win when it counted the most, in the second semifinal at the Class 2A Elkhart Girls Basketball Sub-State on Thursday.

Elkhart (18-4) will face top-seeded and unbeaten Spearville (22-0) for the Sub-State title and a berth to the Class 2A Girls State Tournament on Saturday at 6 pm. Spearville ended Stanton County's season in the first semifinal, 65-34.

Down by as many as 10 points, Elkhart did not hold a lead in the game until late in the third period, and finally escaped when Sydney Brillhart drilled a 3-pointer in the waning seconds to lift the Lady Wildcats to a 49-47 win over Syracuse.

Brillhart - who led Elkhart with 13 points - became the latest Lady Wildcat to break the hearts of Bulldog fans. Jenni Forbes, who hit a buzzer-beater from the top of the key in the first meeting between the two teams - the title game in the Hi-Plains League Tournament - and Chevelle Ralston added nine points each for Elkhart.

The Bulldogs (16-6) led by as many as 10 points in the first half, but the Wildcats whittled down the lead, until Kamry Richardson hit a pair of free throws to push Elkhart ahead for the first time, 31-30, late in the third quarter.

Kate Riley scored 16 points to pace Syracuse, 11 of which came before halftime. Carly Kullott added 12 points, while Amela Bustillos chipped in with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Elkhart's win followed what was a convincing performance by the Lancers, who ran past the Lady Trojans early and held strong for the win.

Alissa Heskamp scored 18 points to lead three Lancers in double figures.

Jordyn Tucker scored a team-high 13 points for Stanton County, who ends their season with a 14-8 mark.