Leavenworth girls win, take aim on second straight Kansas 5A state title

Foul trouble for two of Leavenworth’s inside players didn’t prevent the Pioneers from notching a 10-point halftime lead. It only revealed the depth of the Pioneers’ roster against Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel on Friday in a Kansas 5A girls state semifinal game.

Leavenworth utilized that team effort in a 45-35 victory at the Kansas Expocentre.

Kapaun was a one-player team in senior Sam Bachrodt, who scored 28 points. But that wasn’t enough against Leavenworth’s depth.

Leavenworth, 22-2, now sets its sights on its second consecutive Class 5A state championship. The Pioneers face Blue Valley Southwest at 4 p.m. Saturday for the title.

“It is awesome,” Leavenworth junior guard Destinee Robinson said.

Leavenworth played great defense in the first half, and Robinson came off the bench and scored 10 points, helping the Pioneers to a 21-11 halftime lead.

“I didn’t feel a need to do anything,” said Robinson, who finished with 12 points overall. “My teammates just passed the ball around, and we had great shots.”

With senior post players Tyler Johnson and Rachel Blackburn back on the floor in the third quarter, Leavenworth took control of the game. A couple of times, Blackburn found Johnson for layups.

“I hate sitting out,” said Johnson, who finished with 12 points. “It is the worst feeling in the world watching, but I had faith in my team. I knew they could do it.”

Three straight baskets by Johnson midway through the third quarter gave Leavenworth a 30-11 lead. Senior LaToshia Jones followed with a three-pointer, putting the Pioneers ahead 33-11.

During one stretch late in second quarter through late in the third quarter, Leavenworth outscored Kapaun 17-0.

Bachrodt, though, put on an impressive show. She drained numerous three-pointers and drove for layups. She helped Kapaun close its deficit to 41-33 with 3 minutes left in the game.

This story was originally published March 13, 2015 at 8:53 PM with the headline "Leavenworth girls win, take aim on second straight Kansas 5A state title."