EUREKA — Defensive struggles stymied Humboldt High’s girls in a loss to Neodesha in the second round of the Class 3A substate playoff game Thursday night.
The Lady Cubs (9-13) were hurt most when the Bluestreaks outscored them 20-6 in the second quarter and 18-13 in the fourth in a 59-42 loss.
Seniors Carsyn Haviland and Karley Wools both stepped up to the challenge against Neodesha when they combined to go for 11 points in the first quarter. Haviland scored a trio of two-point baskets and Wools went underneath for a couple of layups.
The Bluestreaks responded with Prayer Roebuck dribbling inside for a trio of layups and Kristen Stover collecting six points in the opening quarter as well. The duo combined for 12 of Neodesha’s 15 first quarter points as they led Humboldt heading to the second, 15-13.
Humboldt had no answer for Neodesha’s offense next when a trio of players including Stover and Roebuck each went for five points. Raeleigh Booth also knocked down a three-pointer and the Cubs quickly fell into a double digit hole at halftime, 35-19.
Skylar Hottenstein sank a couple of two-point jumpers in the third quarter but Humboldt. Kennisyn Hottenstein and Wools each went underneath for layups as well and trailed heading to the fourth, 41-29. 
Neodesha cranked up the intensity on the offensive end one final time in the fourth when Roebuck and Stover combined to score 10 of the 18 points in the quarter. The pair of Bluestreaks combined to hit six free throws and a couple of two-pointers.
Lady Cub Shelby Shaughnessy drew some fouls and netted five points in the fourth.
Wools led the Humboldt scoring attack with 13 points, followed by Haviland’s 11 points and Shaughnessy’s 10. Wools and Haviland each played their final high school basketball games.
Humboldt (17-8-17—42) (FG/3pt-FT-F—TP): S. Hottenstein 3-0-1-6, K. Hottenstein 1-0-3-2, Shaughnessy 3-4-4-10, Haviland 4-3-4-11, Wools 6-1-5-13.
