The Yorktown Kitty Kats faced Harper in the Area Round of the playoffs in Devine, falling short 37–46 Feb. 20.
Harper came out strong offensively, attacking the boards and creating secondchance opportunities. Their aggressive play helped them build an early lead, ending the first quarter ahead 15–5. Palyn Koopman scored the Kitty Kats’ opening basket. Yorktown worked the ball inside to Gracie Stehling for a shot, and she added a free throw to account for the Kats’ first-quarter points.
The Kitty Kats showed improvement offensively in the second period, but Harper continued to match their intensity. Claire Person scored on a strong post move and later added a layup over a defender to make it 9–15. An assist from Koopman to Stehling brought the score to 11–19. Koopman closed out the half scoring the final six points for Yorktown, knocking down four free throws and a jumper. At halftime, the Kitty Kats trailed 17–31.
The third quarter was a defensive standout for Yorktown. The Kitty Kats held Harper to just one basket until the final two minutes of the period, limiting them to only six total points in the quarter. Trinity Flores opened the half with a three-pointer from the right side, followed by a jumper from Koopman to cut the deficit to 22– 31. Koopman later scored her 14th point to make it 24– 33. Paige DeLeon added a free throw to bring the score to 25–33, and Stehling knocked down two free throws to close the gap to 27–35. Harper made two late free throws, sending the game into the fourth quarter with Yorktown trailing 27–37.
In the final period, Stehling grabbed a rebound and scored while being fouled but was unable to convert the threepoint play. DeLeon hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to 32– 38. Stehling came up with another rebound and dished the ball to Koopman, who drove to the basket to make it 34–40. With two minutes remaining, Harper slowed the tempo and forced Yorktown to foul, capitalizing at the free-throw line. Koopman earned three free throws late and converted all three to conclude the scoring at 37–46.
Despite the loss, the Kitty Kats showed resilience and defensive determination throughout the second half, closing out a strong playoff run with effort and heart.
