This year’s Pink Out girls basketball game between Montgomery County and Wellsville-Middletown marked an end of an era for the Krispy Kitties youth basketball team.

Claire Cobb, Madi Polston, Maddy Queathem, Malia Rodgers and Olivia Shaw of MCHS and Bethany Slovensky of W-M were the members of that squad and played together for years. After the Wildcats rolled past the Tigers 68-41 in the Pink Out game on Dec. 15 at Ballew & Snell Court, all six players gathered at midcourt and got a big applause from the fans. All of them are seniors.

“I had a lot of fun getting to play on the same court with the Krispy Kitties for the last time,” Slovensky said. “That really sunk in at the end of it. We all got to hug each other. It was the last time that we’ll be able to be on the court. It was really sad.”

All six players turned in strong performances in the Pink Out contest. Queathem finished with 27 points with three 3-pointers, Shaw and Cobb each had nine, Rodgers scored six and Polston added five for the Wildcats. Slovensky finished with 10 to lead the Tigers.

MCHS defeated W-M in the Pink Out game for the 14th year in a row. The Wildcats also improved to 8-0. They were scheduled to play at North Callaway on Dec. 19.

MCHS is looking to finish with its seventh straight winning season. The squad won 22 games and captured Eastern Missouri Conference and district titles last winter.

“We could do something this year,” Rodgers said. “The possibilities are endless.”

The Tigers dropped to 3-3 with the loss and were scheduled to play a home game against Liberty Christian on Dec. 19. W-M is looking to finish with its second straight winning season.

“We’re definitely on the uphill climb,” said Slovensky, a three-time all-EMO selection.

Two other W-M seniors – Jenelle Boeckelman and Meagan Cripe – competed in their final Pink Out game.

The Krispy Kitties were coached by Rodgers’ father, Chris. They played in a summer traveling league that included teams from Columbia, St. Louis and Kansas City.

Two of the Krispy Kitties will be in college together next year. Rodgers and Slovensky, who have been friends since elementary school, will attend State Fair Community College. Rodgers will play basketball and compete in cross country and track, while Slovensky will join Rodgers on the track team.

“We’ve been inseparable ever since we’ve met,” Slovensky said. “Sports made us closer.”

Slovensky said she started playing with Rodgers and Queathem in third grade.

“They were like my first team that I played with,” Slovensky said. “It’s so special that we grew up together.”

Rodgers said even though Slovensky is playing for a different school, they really enjoyed playing against each other every year in the Pink Out game.

“I was talking to Bethany (during the game) and we were smiling while we were playing,” Rodgers said. “It’s all good fun. She’s our best friend and we love her.”

Queathem played in the Pink Out game all four years and scored a combined 62 points in the four meetings with the Tigers. Last year, she scored 18 points, including a school-record six 3-pointers.

Rodgers also played in the Pink Out game all four years and scored 45 points in the four meetings with W-M, including 16 last year.