Class AA No. 2 Wyoming East defeated No. 7 Lincoln 65-39 on Wednesday afternoon in the girls basketball quarterfinals. The win came after senior point guard Gabby Lupardus left the game in the first half, suffering another injury to her already surgically repaired knee. Lupardus missed the majority of last season with a torn ACL in the same knee she injured on Wednesday. Lupardus eventually same back on the floor and sat behind the team bench, still encouraging her teammates. She suffered the injury at the 4:31 mark of the second quarter with her team holding a slim lead of 20-16. Jazz Blankenship took over, finishing with 23 points, four assists, and four steals. She went 4 of 7 from 3 as well. 7’5” junior Emily Saunders finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and five blocks for the Warriors. Lupardus scores seven points and collected four assists and 11 minutes of action. Madi Martin lead Lincoln (15-10) with nine points in the loss. Wyoming East moves on to face No.3 Wayne at 9:30 a.m. on Friday in the semifinals.
