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Day: January 8, 2021

GIRLS HOOPS: Carthage opens COC play with win over Joplin

Posted on by Lucas Davis

It was a tale of two halves for Joplin and Carthage on Thursday to open up Central Ozark Conference play.

The Eagles (5-6, 0-1 COC) and Tigers (10-5, 1-0 COC) traded baskets in a low-scoring first half, with Carthage grasping to a 17-16 advantage heading into intermission. Carthage took control in the third quarter after outscoring Joplin 16-6. The Tigers built an insurmountable lead with a 9-0 run to open the fourth period en route to a 44-25 win.

“I think the first half was Joplin’s pace,” Carthage coach Scott Moore said. “Coming off the big win against Strafford on Tuesday, the girls maybe didn’t have the energy back. … At halftime, we made a few adjustments. The girls took it to heart and said we have to come out and play Lady Tiger basketball, not Lady Eagle basketball.”

“I thought we played really good defense in both halves,” Joplin coach Luke Floyd said. “We gave up second and third-chance points in the second half that we didn’t in the first. I think they got tired a little bit and lost their legs. I thought Carthage made some great adjustments (in the second half). … Overall, where our girls are at from where we started the year, I am extremely pleased.”

Carthage jumped out to a 6-2 lead fueled by a 3-pointer from Kianna Yates and a fast-break score from Raven Probert off a Joplin turnover near the midway point of the opening quarter. The Eagles trimmed the lead to 8-7 entering the second period behind a 3-pointer and a bucket on a drive with two seconds left by Brooke Nice.

The Tigers scored the first two baskets of the second quarter, including an offensive rebound for a putback score by Brinna Ream, to extend the lead to 12-7. 

Joplin answered back with a 6-0 run spanning over the middle minutes of the quarter, which was highlighted by a Lily Pagan layup on the break and a 3-ball from the wing by Jacie Jensen to give Joplin its first lead of the game at 14-12 with 2:56 to play in the half.

“Credit to Joplin,” Moore said. “Their 2-3 zone, they scramble around, protect the paint, try to keep you out and force you to shoot 3s.”

The lead changed hands three times in the last 90 seconds of the first half, with Carthage clinging to a 17-16 advantage at the break.

“That first half was one of, if not the best half we have played all year,” said Floyd. “It started with our defense. We were able to get rebounds, outlets and we were able to get downhill. We are really working on playing downhill basketball. … For whatever reason, we got away from that.”

The momentum shifted in favor of the Tigers in the second half, starting with Carthage outscoring Joplin by 10 in the third quarter on the way to a 33-22 lead with eight minutes to play. 

Ream scored five of the first seven points for the Tigers to start the second half, building a 24-18 lead by the four-minute mark in the process.

“She got a lot of hers on offensive rebounds,” Moore said of Ream’s performance. “Those are crucial to keep teams at bay.”

After Yates scored inside, Hailey Fullerton added her own basket in the paint before knocking down a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1:56 left on the clock to make the score 31-22. Yates finished out the scoring with a mid-range jumper to send Carthage into the fourth quarter with all of the momentum.

The Tigers essentially put the game out of reach when they pushed the margin to 44-22 after scoring the first nine points of the final stanza during the first five-plus minutes, with Fullerton accounting for seven of them.

“Once Hailey saw a shot go down in rhythm, it just built up from there, which was great,” Moore said. “The girls started feeding into it.”

STATS

Fullerton led Carthage with 17 points, with 12 coming in the second half. Ream closed with 13 points, while Yates scored 10. 

Nice led Joplin with eight points, while Emma Floyd finished with six. 

UP NEXT

Carthage is at Carl Junction on Jan. 12.

Joplin is at Webb City on Jan. 11.

Wrestling: Seneca tops Webb City

Posted on by Jason Peake

Seneca defeated Webb City 71-6 in a prep wrestling dual on Thursday night.
The Indians won six matches by fall and another by technical fall.
Earning wins by fall for Seneca were Brady Roark (113 pounds), Dalton Duley (120), Kendon Pollard (126), Cole Whitehead (138), Clayton Swadley (145) and Jakob Tate (285).
Seneca’s Lincoln Renfro recorded a win by technical fall, 15-0, at 152 pounds.
At 170, Seneca’s Gabriel Commons earned a 6-2 decision over Brayden Hollingsworth and Zane Cotten beat Jacob Ott 6-2 at 195.
Webb City’s Liam Taylor pinned Nash Crain at 220 for the Cardinals’ lone points.

BOYS HOOPS: Early surge leads Joplin past William Chrisman on Day 2 of Kaminsky Classic

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Joplin scorched the nets in the first quarter to build an insurmountable lead on the way to a 78-65 win over William Chrisman on the second day of the Kaminsky Classic on Thursday.

Joplin opened the game on fire offensively by knocking down 10-of-14 shots from the field in the first quarter, which included 4-of-5 shooting from the perimeter, while building a 28-13 lead.

“Everything we did was getting the ball in transition, getting the ball to the paint and kicking out into rhythm 3s,” Joplin coach Jeff Hafer said. “We have guys who can shoot. It was how we got (the 3-pointers). Offensive rebounds and a kick-out to a guy who has his feet set and ready to shoot, driving and attacking the paint inside out or hitting a post player (and playing) inside out. … It’s about what type of 3s we are taking and are they the right kind. That was a good example of growth.”

The Eagles were led in the first quarter by the Wrights brothers. Always Wright finished with 12 points in the first quarter, while All Wright was close behind with seven.

“Always was much more engaged on the defensive end to start the game, and that got him going on the offensive end,” Hafer said. “We put the ball in his and All’s hands quite a bit, putting them into ball screens or situations where they could attack, and they just made good decisions and were able to get some baskets. With scorers like them, if you are able to get them into a rhythm, they will score points in bunches.”

Joplin held a 19-13 lead near the two-minute mark of the first quarter and finished out the period with a 9-0 run to take the momentum. Fielding Campbell started the run with a floater in the lane before Always Wright added a bucket. Dante Washington scored on a baseline drive with 20 seconds left before Always Wright pulled up in transition for an NBA-range 3-pointer at the buzzer to close the run.

While the Eagles were busy scoring at will on the offensive end in the opening period, Joplin’s defense limited William Chrisman to 35.7 percent shooting (5-14).

“I definitely felt like we came out and played at a much higher level on defense to start the game,” Hafer said. “That gets us started in everything.”

The defensive effort from the Eagles carried over the next two quarters, allowing Joplin to maintain a 55-38 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Joplin held William Chrisman to 33 percent shooting in both the second and third quarters.

The Bears made a run at the lead in the fourth quarter, trimming the margin to single digits, 75-66, with 30 seconds left before the Eagles closed out the win.

STATS

Always Wright led Joplin with 24 points to go along with a team-high six assists and four rebounds. Dominick Simmons scored 18 points on 5-of-7 shooting and finished with five rebounds. All Wright had 14, while Terrance Gibson added 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

“When he gets his feet set, Dom is a really good shooter,” Hafer said. “People will forget about him sometimes. … When Terrance Gibson was in there, he and Dom are pretty good together at finishing. Always found Terrance a couple times tonight. (Terrance) is a force in there.”

Dayne Herl led the Bears with 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Anthony Watkins added 14 points, while Sir’Rahn Felix finished with 10 points.

UP NEXT

Joplin takes on Webb City in the Kaminsky Classic championship game at 2 p.m. on Saturday, while William Chrisman faces off with Carl Junction at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

“I’m not sure, I think it’s been a year or two years since we were in the championship game,” Hafer said. “I’m not even sure when the last time it was Joplin won its own tournament. It’s a great opportunity. Webb City is really good. … If you can’t be up and ready to play that game, I think you need to check your stuff in.”

BOYS HOOPS: Highly-motivated Webb City knocks off Nevada, advances to tourney title game

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

The Webb City Cardinals had plenty of motivation ahead of Thursday night’s matchup with the Nevada Tigers at the 2021 Kaminsky Classic.

For starters, a victory would put the Cardinals into the annual event’s championship game. 

Next, and not to be understated, Nevada had won seven straight matchups against Webb City dating back to 2012. 

Lastly, there were postseason implications at stake.  With that, it’s safe to say the Cardinals wanted this one.

Propelled by big runs in the first and third quarters, highly-motivated Webb City defeated Nevada 65-55 in a clash between state-ranked foes at Joplin High School’s Kaminsky Gymnasium.

“Our kids were motivated and excited to play Nevada,” Webb City coach Jason Horn said. “Their program is really solid. Coach (Shaun) Gray does a good job with them. We knew it was going to be tough coming in. They’ve got guys who can shoot the basketball and they play tough defense. The last few years, the games went back and forth, but we weren’t able to finish them off. It seemed like they’ve always had an extra punch for us. Tonight, it was our night.”

Ranked eighth in Class 5, Webb City improved to 7-1 after going 2-0 in pool play, earning a spot in Saturday’s title game against Joplin.

“We’re excited to play for the tournament championship,” Horn said. 

In what was another motivating factor, both teams are in Class 5 District 12. 

“We’re district opponents and we know we’ll see them another time (at the Frontenac Tournament),” Horn said. “But these games are big for deciding home-court advantage in the district tournament.”  

As far as the key to victory, Webb City put together a 17-0 run in the first quarter and then had a 13-0 surge in the third quarter. 

“I thought we were really good defensively to start the game,” Horn said. “We did a great job of putting pressure on the basketball and we did a great job of rotating. We kept their guys out of the lane.”

Nevada won the second quarter 17-11 before the Cardinals outscored the Tigers 16-6 in the third period. 

“In the second quarter, we weren’t moving our feet like we needed to defensively,” Horn said. “But in the third quarter, we regrouped and got a little run going. Our defense always leads our offense. When we’re solid defensively, we can be a load for anyone.”

NAMES & NUMBERS

Senior guards Nickhai Howard and Trenton Hayes scored 17 points apiece to lead Webb City, while junior guard Cohl Vaden added nine points and senior forward Luke Brumit contributed 11 rebounds and eight points. 

Howard had four assists, while Mekhi Garrard recorded three steals and two assists. 

The Cardinals shot 37 percent (18-of-49) and out-rebounded the Tigers 46-36.

Senior Logan McNeley scored a game-high 22 points and also had eight boards for the Tigers, while senior Logan Applegate added 18 points and four assists. 

The Tigers made just 31 percent of their field goal attempts (19-of-62), including 5-of-27 from 3-point range (19 percent). 

GAME RECAP

After Nevada scored the first four points of the game, Webb City recorded 17 unanswered points, with five different players scoring during the spurt. 

The Tigers managed just six points in the opening frame. 

“There was kind of a lid on the basket for a while,” Nevada coach Shaun Gray said, noting his team’s 3-for-15 shooting. “We missed our first six or seven 3-balls. And a lot of times, those long misses fueled Webb City’s transition game. Early on, it seemed like everything was falling for them and nothing was falling for us. And when you get behind against them, you have to start playing a little faster and that’s the style of play they want. An early deficit against a team like Webb City is huge.” 

The Tigers charged back in the second quarter, as McNeley’s second 3-pointer cut Nevada’s deficit to three at 26-23. But Webb City’s Alex Martin hit a turnaround jumper in the lane to give the Cardinals a five-point cushion at the break. 

Webb City began the third quarter much like it started the first, as the Cardinals scored 13 unanswered points and put together a 16-2 run to start the second half. 

During the spurt, Hayes, Howard and Shane Noel all hit 3-pointers, while Vaden, Hayes and Howard contributed hoops and Kaden Turner added a free throw. The run gave the Cardinals a comfortable 44-25 advantage. 

Nevada didn’t quit, as the Tigers were only down seven with 2:24 remaining after Lane McNeley’s layup. But the Cardinals responded with six straight points to all but seal the deal.

“I was pleased with the fact that we kept battling,” Gray said. “We didn’t throw in the towel. We battled back and I felt like we had them on the ropes, but we had another lull and they went on another run. We have to be more consistent than we were tonight.” 

GAME NOTES

Webb City won 21 consecutive games against the Tigers from 2001-12 before Nevada began its win streak in the series against its former Southwest Conference rival.  

Nevada, ranked 10th in Class 5 and now 5-4, will take on Clever at 6 on Friday night to conclude pool play.

PREP HOOPS ROUNDUP: McAuley girls top Wyandotte, boys fall in OT; Neosho squads fall at Locust Grove

Posted on by Jason Peake

MCAULEY GIRLS 46, WYANDOTTE 42

McAuley Catholic’s girls basketball team improved to 6-4 with a 46-42 win over Wyandotte on Thursday night. 

Three players scored in double figures for the host Warriors, as Kennedy DeRuy and Kayleigh Teeter recorded 14 points apiece and Kloee Williamson added 13. 

Mallory Butterfield scored 17 points to lead Wyandotte and Presley Brecheisen had 14. 

Wyandotte led 19-16 at the half, but McAuley used a 16-9 third quarter to take a 30-23 lead into the fourth quarter. 

Both teams scored 14 points in the fourth period for the final margin. 

 

WYANDOTTE BOYS 47, MCAULEY 41, OT

The game was tied at 39 at the end of regulation before Wyandotte outscored McAuley 8-2 in the extra session to pull out the win. 

“We didn’t get the result that we wanted, but I’m proud of the way our guys battled coming off of the long break,” Warriors coach Tony Witt said, noting the team only had three practices after Dec. 22. “We had a chance to win but you have to give them credit, they made some big plays down the stretch to force the overtime and seal the win.  I’m still proud of my guys, we will grow from this and get better.”

Daniel Wagner led the Warriors with 19 points and Thomas Black had 14. 

Bryce Pogue scored 18 points for Wyandotte, hitting five 3-pointers. 

 

NEOSHO SQUADS FALL 

The Neosho boys basketball team suffered a 72-68 loss in overtime to the OKC Storm in the first round of the Locust Grove Tournament. 

Landon Austin scored 20 points to lead Neosho. 

Competing in the same tourney, Neosho’s girls lost to host Locust Grove 57-31. 

Baylie Bowers scored eight points for the Wildcats, while Olivia Hixson and Michelle Lindsay added seven points apiece. 

 

MOUNT VERNON GIRLS 60, LAMAR 20

The Mountaineers held the Tigers scoreless through the first 10 minutes and raced out to a 20-0 lead. 

Mount Vernon led 33-9 at intermission. 

Lacy Stokes scored a game-high 18 points to lead Mount Vernon, while Ellie Johnston added 14 and Raegen Boswell chipped in 10. 

Johnston hit four treys, while Stokes hit three 3-pointers. 

Kara Morey scored nine points for Lamar and Josey Adams had eight.

 

 

Buerge’s big night leads Carl Junction girls past Glendale

Posted on by Jason Peake

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The Carl Junction girls basketball team dominated the Glendale Falcons at home on Thursday night, winning 61-40.

CJ had a huge first quarter, rattling off 24 points, thanks in large part to sophomore Destiny Buerge’s big night. She scored 13 points in the first quarter alone. Despite scoring the first basket of the game, Glendale quickly fell behind and would be unable to catch up the rest of the game. The Bulldogs led 24-9 at the end of the first.

The game slowed down in the second quarter as both teams started played stronger defense. Buerge went 2-for-4 from the line with four field goals to give her 19 points going into halftime. Junior Jessa Hylton also had two baskets from beyond the 3-point line, giving her 11 points in the first half. Glendale kept pace, adding eight points to their total to make the score 36-17 going into the break.

Buerge once again came out firing in the second half, scoring nine of the Bulldog’s 11 points that quarter. She also made her lone free throw after an impressive basket also led to the and-one. Glendale did their best to claw their way back, scoring 10 points of their own in the third, but even with an improved defense, the deficit was too much to overcome.

The Bulldogs entered the fourth sporting a 47-27 lead.

To finish out the game Buerge scored just one more basket, giving her 30 points on the night. “Destiny did a nice job of attacking the basket early,” Carl Junction coach Brad Shorter said. “You never want to take the aggressiveness out of kids, so we are happy with her driving to the basket and providing opportunities for others.”

Although Buerge had a quiet fourth quarter, freshman Kylie Scott picked up the slack. She scored four baskets and accounted for eight of Carl Junction’s final 14 points.

As a team, the Bulldogs went 4-for-7 from the free throw line and also got two baskets by senior Hannah Lee.

“We wanted to have the same energy we had Monday, come out and make sure we are playing hard and playing together,” Coach Shorter said. “We did a better job not turning the ball over tonight, but we need to improve our rebounding. Glendale played some really strong defense, and we just wanted to make sure we had good sharp cuts, moved the ball and pushed it up the court.”

Coach Shorter was also honored with the 2019-2020 Missouri Coach of the Year Award, presented by MSHSAA and NFHS, in between games. The award is presented to an individual who has made a life-long commitment to the ideals of coaching interscholastic sports.

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