Lady Eagles Advance in Sub-State with 45-23 Win Over Hoisington
February 27, 2026
The Colby Lady Eagles opened postseason play in convincing fashion on February 27, defeating Hoisington 45–23 in the first round of the sub-state tournament to advance in the bracket. The victory sends Colby on the road to Holcomb for the next round as the Eagles continue their push toward the state tournament.
Colby relied on strong defense and a dominant performance from senior Shaylee Holzmeister to pull away from the Cardinals after a slow start. The opening quarter featured tight defense from both teams, with points at a premium early. Holzmeister finally broke the scoreless drought with a layup midway through the period to give the Eagles their first lead, and a three-pointer from Maddie McCarty later helped Colby take a 5–2 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
The Eagles began to gain momentum in the second quarter. Holzmeister scored in multiple ways inside and on the perimeter, while Emily Flanagin added a three-pointer as Colby began to stretch the lead. Defensive pressure from players like Sadie Cheney and Harper Vaughn also helped create turnovers and transition opportunities. By halftime, the Eagles had built a comfortable 21–10 lead behind a strong second quarter surge.
Colby continued to control the game after the break. Vaughn opened the third quarter with a three-pointer that pushed the lead to 24–10, and the Eagles’ defense continued to disrupt Hoisington’s offense. Holzmeister remained the focal point, scoring repeatedly around the basket and controlling the glass. By the end of the third quarter, Colby held a 33–21 advantage and had firmly established control of the contest.
The fourth quarter sealed the victory. Flanagin knocked down another three early in the period, and Holzmeister continued to dominate the paint as the Eagles pushed their lead beyond 20 points. With the outcome decided, Colby was able to rotate in several players late in the game, with Tatum Odell adding a pair of free throws to help close out the scoring.
Holzmeister led all scorers with 25 points, putting together an outstanding postseason performance. Flanagin added eight points, while McCarty contributed four. Vaughn finished with three points, and Kalyssa White and Odell each added two. Cheney also chipped in one point as the Eagles spread contributions across the lineup.
The Lady Eagles will now travel to Holcomb tonight as they continue their postseason run, hoping to take another step toward a berth in the Kansas State High School Activities Association state tournament.