Hanover girls win battle of unbeatens, claim Kansas 1A Division II crown

GREAT BEND, KS — The Hanover Wildcats are girls basketball state champions for a third time in team history. 

The Wildcats entered the state tournament as the No. 2 seed and won their quarterfinal matchup over No. 7 Sharon Springs-Wallace County 63-32 and then took down No. 3 Beloit-St. John's/Tipton 62-41 in the semifinals. 

That set up a state championship match against fellow undefeated Lebo High School for the championship. Both squads entered the game at 25-0. 

Hanover dominated the final game of the season, winning 59-34 too claim the 2023 KSHSAA 1A Division II championship.

Sophomore Anna Jueneman paced the Wildcats with a 20 point performance. Senior Massey Holle finished her high school career with a 12-point and 11-rebound double-double.

It's the third championship in program history for the Wildcats girls basketball team who went back-to-back as champions in 2017 and 2018 and also have a runner-up in 2019.