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Day: December 13, 2022

PREP HOOPS: McAuley Catholic boys, girls swept by Jasper

Posted on by Jason Peake

The McAuley Catholic Warriors endured a major scoring drought Monday night and still nearly came out with a win against the Jasper Eagles despite a stretch not scoring that lasted almost half the game.

Rocco Bazzano-Joseph’s corner 3-point shot rimmed out, the ball went out of bounds to Jasper with 0.3 seconds remaining in regulation, and Jasper held on tight for a 35-33 win.

Bazzano-Joseph made two free throws late in the first quarter for a 13-10 McAuley lead.

The Warriors then went the rest of the first, the entire second quarter, and the first 4:43 of the third without a point, as Jasper built a 24-13 lead before Bradley Wagner’s old-fashioned three-point play snapped the Warriors from their woes.

McAuley coach Tony Witt would not hear of the fact the Warriors just about came away with the win Monday night.

“I don’t know, I don’t have a whole lot of positives to say about my team right now,” Witt said. “We have got to have more consistent play. We can’t go out and shoot and play the way we did one night (58-31 win on Friday against Sarcoxie), then just not show up the next night. That’s not what good teams do. It can’t happen. I don’t have much to say.”

Jasper entered the night without a win and the Eagles’ five losses were all double digits with their closest loss 11 points their previous time out against Lockwood.

Wyatt Cawyer scored 12 of his game-high 14 points in the first half, Wyatt Durman added eight in the first half on the way to 11 points, and Treyton Richart and Mitchel Avalos rounded out Jasper’s scoring with six and four points, respectively, all scored in the second half.

Bazzano-Joseph and Wagner each led with McAuley with nine points, while Michael Parrigon added six. Noah Black added five points, while Jack Jones and Kable Reichardt scored two points apiece.

McAuley dropped to 2-5 overall and the Warriors return home Tuesday for a contest against an Exeter team that has also struggled early this season.

 

Jasper girls 50, McAuley Catholic 22

The Warriors remained without a win, as the visiting Eagles never trailed and opened up a 14-point lead in the first quarter with a 14-0 run after McAuley earned a 2-all score.

Jasper led 16-4 after one quarter, 32-11 at halftime, and 40-13 after three quarters on the way to improving to 7-2 overall this season.

The Eagles relied heavily on a trio for their points, while the Warriors received most of their production from a duo.

Senior center Mercadez Scott led Jasper with 15 points, sophomore Crystal Smith added 14 despite foul trouble after halftime, and fellow sophomore Emersyn Bass put in five points each half for her 10 total.

Freshman guard Brooke Righter led McAuley with nine and junior Kloee Williamson finished with eight.

McAuley, now 0-7 on the season, returns home Tuesday against Exeter.

 

BOYS HOOPS: Thomas Jefferson holds off Lockwood

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Thomas Jefferson built a nine-point lead after the first quarter and held off Lockwood down the stretch for a 66-59 win on Monday.

The Cavaliers improved to 7-1 with the win.

Thomas Jefferson outscored Lockweed 19-10 in the first quarter to build a cushion. The Cavs pushed the lead to 13 by the start of the fourth quarter and kept Lockwood at bay during the final eight minutes to preserve the win.

Tyler Brouhard had 25 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double, while Jay Ball had 15 points. Levi Triplett had 11 points and Ethn Renger knocked down a team-high three 3-pointers on the way to nine points.

Dalton Mammen had 29 points to lead Lockwood, while Elijah Kerr added 11.

Thomas Jefferson hosts Pierce City on Jan. 5.

GIRLS HOOPS ROUNDUP: Thomas Jefferson, Nevada earn wins; CHC falls

Posted on by Lucas Davis

THOMAS JEFFERSON GIRLS 53, LOCKWOOD 22

Thomas Jefferson rallied back from a slim deficit to run away from Lockwood for the win on Monday.

Lockwood held a one-point lead over Thomas Jefferson after the first quarter only for the Cavs to blank the Tigers in the quarter on the way to a 30-14 lead by the intermission. Thomas Jefferson (5-1) put the game away in the third quarter after outscoring Lockwood 22-5.

Gabbi Hiebert had 17 points, making a trio of 3-pointers, while Lanna Grigg had 13 and Sarah Mueller 12, with two 3-pointers, to give Thomas Jefferson three players in double figures. Alexis Stamps added five, Tannah Grigg four and Nico Carlson finished with two.

Gatlyn Clawson led Lockwood with nine points.

Thomas Jefferson is at Riverton on Jan. 5.

 

NEVADA 65, ROGERSVILLE 37

NEVADA, Mo. — Nevada outscored Rogersville 31-16 in the first half and cruised to victory to open the week on Monday.

With the win, Nevada improved to 5-2 on the season.

Maddy Majors led Nevada with 26 points, while Clara Swearingen finished right behind with 25 points. Swearingen knocked down seven 3-pointers in the win, while Majors buried four triples. Katie Johnson and Abbey Heathman each scored six.

Nevada travels to Carthage on Thursday.

 

GALENA (KANSAS) 47, COLLEGE HEIGHTS 43

GALENA, Kan. — The Cougars suffered a close loss to the Bulldogs from Southeast Kansas.

“I was pleased with our effort and intensity tonight,” College Heights coach John Blankenship said. “Other than a few break downs, we played good team defense tonight. Unfortunately, those few break downs were costly in a close game. Mia Sarwinski is a great player. She is so quick and strong, which makes her very hard to defend.” 

Blankenship noted his team had its chances.

“We were 4-for-16 from the free throw line, including 1-for-6 in the fourth quarter,” he said. “Galena, on the other hand, was 6-for-7 in the fourth quarter and that was the difference in the game.” 

Libby Fanning recorded a double-double for College Heights with 14 points and 17 rebounds. 

Also for the Cougars, Jayli Johnson had 10 points and three assists, Lauren Ukena compiled three points, five steals and two assists, Maddy Colin contributed four points and seven boards and Ava Lett scored five points.

Sarwinski scored 23 points for Galena.

College Heights (4-3) hosts Diamond on Friday.

LADY MUSTANG CLASSIC: Carl Junction cruises to victory; Mac County, Webb City suffer opening-round losses

Posted on by Jason Peake

ANDERSON, Mo. — A dominant first half propelled Carl Junction to a 67-37 victory over Gentry (Arkansas) on Monday in an opening-round contest of the 2022 Lady Mustang Classic at McDonald County High School.

Carl Junction will meet Springdale (Arkansas) in the semifinals at 6:30 on Tuesday night.

Clicking on all cylinders from the start, the Bulldogs built a 19-4 advantage by the end of the first period and held a commanding 38-15 lead by intermission en route to the lopsided win. 

Ranked fourth in Class 5 by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association, Carl Junction is now 6-1 on the season.

Carl Junction scored 14 unanswered points in the opening period, and Destiny Buerge’s buzzer-beating runner in the lane gave the Bulldogs a 19-4 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

The Bulldogs extended their lead right away in the second period.

Treys from Hali Shorter and Buerge, hoops inside from Kylie Scott and Dezi Williams and two free throws from Klohe Burk gave Carl Junction a commanding 36-9 lead.

The Bulldogs held a comfortable 38-15 lead at intermission.

A pair of hoops from Buerge pushed CJ’s lead to 51-22 with four minutes left in the third period.

Gentry hit three unanswered 3-pointers to cut their deficit to 20, and Carl Junction held a 51-31 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs’ lead was never in jeopardy in the final frame. Buerge’s old-fashioned 3-point play made it 59-35.

A senior guard, Buerge poured in 33 points to lead Carl Junction. 

Also for the Bulldogs, Burk scored nine points, while Shorter and Williams added six points apiece. Scott, who missed most of Saturday’s Tournament of Champions title game with a sore ankle, contributed five points.

Alyssa McCarty scored 20 points for the Pioneers (4-3). 

Springdale overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to beat Farmington 51-47 in overtime.

Just two weeks ago, Carl Junction edged Springdale 62-58 in the semifinals of the CJ Classic. The rematch will determine who plays for the Lady Mustang Classic championship. 

In Monday’s other tourney action, Fort Smith Southside defeated McDonald County 51-37 and Bentonville West topped Webb City 66-36.

McDonald County and Webb City will meet in the consolation semifinals at 5 on Tuesday night.

 

FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE 51, MCDONALD COUNTY 37

The game was deadlocked at halftime before Southside took control by winning the third quarter 19-5 en route to knocking off the tourney hosts.

Eight points in the paint from Megan Elwood gave McDonald County a 13-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Mustangs led 17-10 after a hoop from Carlie Martin and free throws from Carlee Cooper, but Southside used an 11-1 run to take a 21-18 lead. 

After Mac County’s Cooper hit a game-tying trey from the top of the key, the visitors scored in the lane. But Elwood answered with a hoop inside of her own, tying the game at 23 at halftime.

The Mavericks put together a game-changing 13-2 run in the third quarter to pull ahead for good.

McDonald County’s deficit was 42-28 entering the fourth quarter, and the Mustangs were unable to rally late. McDonald County pulled within nine early in the final frame, but the Mavericks reeled off seven straight points.

A senior forward, Elwood scored 11 points to lead the Mustangs (3-4). Cooper scored eight points and hit two 3-pointers, while Anna Clarkson had seven and Martin added six.

 

BENTONVILLE WEST 66, WEBB CITY 36

Playing without a key performer, Webb City got down early and never recovered in this one.

The Cardinals (3-3) played without the services of 6-5 post player Sami Mancini for undisclosed reasons.

Webb City junior guard Mia Robbins scored eight points in the opening frame, but Bentonville West held a 21-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Cardinals managed only a single tally in the second quarter, a free throw from Malorie Stanley.

On the other hand, West hit seven 3-pointers in the first half and led 41-13 at halftime.

Bentonville West’s lead was 55-25 at the end of the third quarter.

Robbins scored nine points to lead the Cardinals, while Dawsyn Decker had seven. Kirra Long scored five points, Kate Brownfield and Kylee Sargent contributed four points apiece and Stanley had three. 

 

Lady Mustang Classic

Monday’s scores

Carl Junction 67, Gentry 37

Springdale 51, Farmington 47

Fort Smith Southside 51, McDonald County 37

Bentonville West 66, Webb City 36

GIRLS HOOPS: Defensive pressure boosts Carthage to blowout win over Central

Posted on by Lucas Davis

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Carthage went to the press early and forced Central (Springfield) into a plethora of turnovers on the way to a 63-24 win over the Bulldogs on Monday.

The Tigers (5-1) jumped out to an 8-0 cushion early thanks to their press defense, which ultimately helped Carthage build a 20-plus point lead by the intermission. Carthage didn’t let up in the second half with a 10-0 run to start the third period before eventually forcing a running clock and cruising to victory over the Bulldogs (0-2).

“I liked our energy and effort in the first half,” Carthage coach Scott Moore said. “Anytime you can hold a varsity team to single digits in the first half is a really good defensive effort. Our shooting was good in the first half, which I liked because we haven’t necessarily shot the ball well this year. … I liked the ball movement on offense and the pressure and execution of defense.”

GAME ACTION

After getting the first basket of the game on an elbow jumper from sophomore G Lexa Youngblood, Carthage went to the pressure defense early, pressing Central into five first-quarter turnovers and six points off those turnovers to jump out to an 8-0 lead early. Sophomore G Lauren Choate knocked down a 3-pointer before Youngblood and sophomore G Maggie Boyd earned a steal and scored on the break the other way, with Boyd adding a free throw to fill out the run. 

“The girls love to get out and press,” Moore said. “It gives them energy. It’s a quote I use often, but our offense sets up our defense. We have to score to press. We don’t press on misses. We have to get buckets—make layups, free throws and hit open shots so that we can get into our press package.

“Then, the girls get excited and you start seeing the towels wagging off the bench and we get energy. We start swarming teams like that, it can snowball quickly and then we get that sizable lead that allows us to play free and fast, which is what we want to do.” 

Choate added a second 3-pointer and sophomore F Jaidyn Brunnert also connected from the perimeter to give the Tigers a 14-6 lead after the first eight minutes.

The Tigers’ suffocating defense continued to perform in the second quarter, limiting Central to just two points and forcing four more turnovers in the period. Carthage outscored Central 16-2 in the quarter to take a 30-8 lead into halftime.

“One of the things that we have been trying to work on is the back end of the press,” Moore said of the defensive performance in the second quarter. “Just because they break the press doesn’t mean they should get an open shot or layup. We have to rotate, and I thought we did a great job of shutting it down at the end when they broke the press in the second quarter. We also did a fairly decent job of boxing out.”

Choate pushed the lead to double digits with a scoop layup to make the score 17-6. Senior G Kianna Yates added a runner, with Boyd, Choate and sophomore F Zye Clark also added 2-point field goals, while junior G Trisha Kanas added a 3-pointer.

Carthage started the second half on a 10-0 run to push the lead to more than 30 points. Yates opened the scoring in the second half with a driving score before Youngblood earned a steal for a score on the break the other way. Another Bulldogs’ turnover led to a basket from Choate before Yates pushed the lead to 38-8 with 6:26 on the clock with a score on the break. Youngblood scored in the paint to close the run.

Carthage closed the third period with a 54-16 lead, cruising to victory down the stretch in the fourth quarter with a running clock.

SCORING LEADERS

All nine Tigers scored in the win over Central. Choate led the way with 17 points, while Youngblood finished with 12 for Carthage. Yates had nine in the win, while Brunnert finished with eight. Kanas had six points and Boyd finished with five. Landry Cochran, Clark and Ashlyn Brust all had two.

“I liked the way we shared the ball,” Moore said of the offensive output. “They sat in a zone, which isn’t easy to penetrate and get a lot of action that way. Typically, we score more through penetration than from the outside. Tonight, we got short penetration, collapsed the zone and got kickouts, which was really unselfish basketball and how you get all nine players scoring.”

UP NEXT

Carthage hosts Nevada on Thursday.

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