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McPherson Today
By the People, for the People
Wellington Crusaders Defeat Abilene Cowgirls, Advance to Substate Final
The #1 seed Wellington Lady Crusaders overcame a slow start to defeat the Abilene Cowgirls and move on to the 4A West Substate Championship game.
Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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The Wellington Lady Crusaders, the #1 seed in the 4A West bracket and defending 4A State Champions, defeated the Abilene Cowgirls 53-38 in the Substate semifinals. Abilene led 11-9 at the end of the first quarter, but Wellington then went on a 23-0 run spanning the second and third quarters to take control of the game. The Lady Crusaders led by as many as 25 points in the final quarter. Abilene was led in scoring by sophomore Tessa Herrman with 15 points, but the Cowgirls fell to 4-18 on the season. Wellington, now 21-1, will face #9 Buhler in the Substate Championship game on Friday.
Why it matters
The Wellington Lady Crusaders are the defending 4A State Champions and the #1 seed in the 4A West bracket. Their senior class has an impressive 89-6 record over the last four seasons, so they are heavily favored to win the Substate title and make another deep run in the state tournament. The loss ends Abilene's season, as they struggled after a 3-1 start to finish 4-18.
The details
In the Substate semifinal, Abilene led 11-9 at the end of the first quarter, but then struggled to score for nearly two quarters. The Cowgirls scored with 3:17 to play in the opening quarter and wouldn't score again until 4:24 to play in the third. During that stretch, Wellington went on a 23-0 run to take control of the game. The Lady Crusaders led by as many as 25 points in the final quarter.
- The game was played on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
- Wellington led 9-11 at the end of the first quarter.
- Abilene did not score from 3:17 in the first quarter until 4:24 in the third quarter, a span of nearly two full quarters.
The players
Tessa Herrman
A sophomore who led Abilene with 15 points in the loss.
Lyndi Barton
A player for the Wellington Lady Crusaders who scored 16 points in the win.
Kirstyn Gregory
A player for the Wellington Lady Crusaders who scored 12 points in the win.
What they’re saying
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
What’s next
Wellington, the #1 seed in the 4A West bracket, will face #9 Buhler (12-12) in Friday's Substate Championship game. Buhler defeated #8 McPherson 53-50 in the semifinals.
The takeaway
The Wellington Lady Crusaders, the defending 4A State Champions, continue to dominate their competition and are heavily favored to make another deep run in the state tournament. Their senior class has an impressive 89-6 record over the last four seasons, showcasing their sustained excellence.
