WELLSVILLE — Humboldt High’s girls saw their 2023-24 basketball season end with a few too many turnovers and way too many Caelyn Ferguson baskets Friday.
Ferguson, a senior standout from Heritage Christian Academy, erupted for 36 points as the Chargers fended off Humboldt down the stretch to win, 64-53.
The loss, in the Class 3A Substate semifinal round, ends Humboldt’s season with a 13-9 record
Heritage Christian, based in Olathe, advances to Saturday evening’s championship round against Anderson County.
The Lady Cubs led 16-12 after one quarter, but foul trouble sent Lady Cub junior standout Shelby Shaughnessy to the bench midway through the second period.
Heritage Christian pounced, ending the half on a 10-0 run to lead 33-25 at the break.The lead grew to as many as 17 before Humboldt found its footing once again.
The Lady Cubs pared the deficit to 11 on three different occasions down the stretch, but Heritage Christian responded each time.
Ferguson’s torrid night consisted of seven 2-point buckets, three 3-pointers and a perfect 13-of-13 from the free throw line.
Humboldt’s Kenisyn Hottenstein, the lone senior on the Lady Cub roster, scored 13 points, sharing high-scoring honors with Laney Hull. Hull had four 3-pointers on the night. Ricklyn Hillman chipped in with 11. Shaughnessy wound up with six.
