The girls basketball team lost to Wichita South 47-35 in the Class 6A championship game.
Junior Daley Handy led the team in points with 15. Freshman Brianna Johnson, who had started every game this season, did not play due to a knee injury suffered in the semifinal game.
“I knew that once she got injured I knew had to step up,” said sophomore Katie McClure, who started for Johnson. “It was a big effect.”
Maize started off the game making the first basket, but Wichita South soon took over and led 16-12 at the half. The Eagles struggled to get their offense going, missing several close attempts.
“We’ve got to make our layups,” McClure said. “It was a tough game.”
The Eagles weren’t able to make much of a game of it in the second half and lost to Wichita South for the second time this season.
“We didn’t finish,” coach Jerrod Handy said. “We just didn’t finish plays and didn’t make shots.”
With the loss, the team will look to next year, now having the experience of playing in the championship game. Brayden Byrd was the only senior on the squad.
“I’m really optimistic about next year,” Handy said. “We’ve got a lot of great girls and great talents.”
Earlier Saturday, the boys team lost to Wichita East 65-60 in the third place game. Jacob Horsch led the Eagles with 21 points. He made 5 of 6 three-point attempts.