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By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor
sports@arkcity.net

EL DORADO -- When Amanda Defore walked to the free throw line with 36 seconds remaining, her thoughts summed up where Dexter envisioned being later this week.

"I was picturing myself staying at a hotel in Hays," Defore said.

That's where the Dexter girls are headed.

For the first time in program history, the Fighting Cardinals qualified for this week's Class 1A state tournament after defeating Southern Coffey County 42-35 Saturday at Butler County Community College.

Dexter (22-3) will play Weskan Thursday at 4:45 p.m. in the state quarterfinals at Gross Coliseum at Fort Hays State University. Southern Coffey County finished the season 22-3.

Trailing 31-29 entering the fourth quarter, Dexter had made only 1-of-14 free throws. The Lady Cardinals improved on that mark in the deciding quarter, going 9-of-16.

While that effort was far from perfect, it was good enough to keep their state title hopes alive.

"We knew that it would make or break it (our chances of qualifying for state)," said Defore, who finished 5-of-7 at the foul line in the fourth quarter. "We focused a lot more on playing our game."

Defore played an integral part down the stretch, including a key blocked shot and defensive rebound in the final 45 seconds. Towering over everyone else on the court, at 5-foot-11, Defore used her height to her advantage. She spearheaded Dexter's efforts down low, nearly recording a triple-double with 10 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks.

"She stepped up to the plate on the boards," Dexter coach Debbie Callison said.

Dexter finished with a staggering 45-23 rebounding advantage. It also outscored the Lady Titans 13-4 in the fourth quarter and held Southern Coffey County scoreless for the final 4:12.

Krissy Kill and Allie Crow also provided a big lift late in the game.

Kill hustled for a loose ball off a missed free throw by Defore with just over 30 seconds remaining. Cassie Combs appeared to snag the loose rebound, but Kill came in to tie up Combs and force a jump ball, in which Dexter retained possession.

Crow, meanwhile, corralled a rebound off a blocked shot by Defore in the final 15 seconds. Crow then made two free throws to account for the final score.

Foul trouble also became an issue for Southern Coffey County.

Kaitlin Meyer and Laurie Ohl both fouled out late in the fourth quarter. Meyer finished with 10 points and six rebounds, while Ohl had eight points. Shelby Birk also recorded eight points.

Things didn't start off on the right foot for the Lady Cardinals, as Southern Coffey County jumped out to an early 11-6 lead.

But senior Camille Kahrs got Dexter back in the game. After converting a layup, she stole the ball on the ensuing possession and made another layup to cut Southern Coffey County's lead to 11-10 with 1:22 remaining in the first quarter.

"When she's hot, she's hot," Callison said. "She can really carry a team."

Kahrs scored 10 of her game-high 16 points in the first half. But like her teammates she struggled mightily at the foul line, missing all 10 of her free throws.

Dexter finished 10-of-30 at the foul line, compared to just 3-of-7 for Southern Coffey County.

Neither team led by more than five points through the first three quarters, in which strong defensive play kept scoring at a premium.

Southern Coffey County 13 9 9 4 -- 35
Dexter 12 9 8 13 -- 42

Southern Coffey County -- Meyer 10, Ohl 8, Birk 8, Garland 5, Combs 4. Totals 12 (3) 3-7 35.
Dexter -- Kahrs 16, Defore 10, Hafenstein 8, Crow 5, Kill 3. Totals 16 (0) 10-29 42.