Sports

MINNEAPOLIS — The Ellsworth girls’ basketball team took on the Lions Dec. 16 in an NCAA matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats with 59.4 seconds left in regulation play and with the score 43-39 in favor of the Lions.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Ellsworth wrestlers traveled to Minneapolis Dec. 13 to take part in the Jeff Giles Invitational. In team standings, Ellsworth placed sixth out of the 13-team field.The boys’ team won the invitational as a team, beating out second place finisher Salina South by 10 points.

YONS — The Ellsworth girls’ basketballLteam started their winter campaign on the right track Friday night, as they traveled to Lyons for the first tip-off of the season. With 11 of the 12 players scoring for the Bearcats, Ellsworth had no problem cruising to a 54-21 victory.

LYONS — The Ellsworth boys’ basketball team dropped its season opener Dec. 5 as they traveled to Lyons in an early NCAA matchup.

While many people know Kim Whetzel as an administrative assistant at the USD 327 district office, her interaction reaches beyond her desk chair.For more than 10 years, she has been the driver of the lead vehicle for Ellsworth’s home cross country meet each fall.

LAWRENCE — The Ellsworth girls’ cross country team and senior Hunter Kinsley and freshman Octavio Rodriguez from the Ellsworth boys’ team competed at the KSHSAA Class 3A State Cross Country Championship Nov. 1 at Rim Rock Farm north of Lawrence.

HUTCHINSON — The Ellsworth volleyball season was one to remember.

HOLCOMB — Despite having some quality teams in the past, the Ellsworth Bearcat volleyball team is headed to the state tournament for the first time since 1997.

DODGE CITY — The Ellsworth boys’ and girls’ cross country teams traveled to Mariah Hills Golf Course in Dodge City Saturday to compete in the Class 3A Cross Country Regionals.

SALINA — History was made Saturday afternoon as the Ellsworth girls’ varsity tennis team won its first state tennis championship in the program’s history at the Salina Tennis Center.The Bearcats first won the team title at the regional tournament in Lyons Oct.