DODGE CITY — Twenty points ended up standing between the Central Plains High School girls’ basketball team and their advancing towards a repeat state championship as the Doniphan West Mustangs defeated them 60-40 in quarterfinal play March 8 at the state tournament.

In the last 10 years, the Oilers have won the state title eight times, with 2020 and 2023 being the only years they came up short.

“I am really proud of the girls; they played hard,” Head Coach Pat Stiles said. “They got down early and fought back within 8 points.”

The Mustangs are a strong team, and the Oilers just couldn’t get into a rhythm to catch them and pull ahead.

Early in the first half, Brynna Hammeke was in foul trouble with three. Marilyn Soeken also found herself in foul trouble, and ended up fouling out in the fourth quarter.

Leading scorers for the Oilers were Marilyn Soeken with 13 points, Brynna Hammeke with 9, Kyla Metro with 9, Addy Ogle with 5 and Kylie Kempke with 4.

“I can’t be more proud of a team than this one here,” Stiles said.