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Month: December 2022

BOYS HOOPS: Fast start, balanced attack leads Webb City past Springfield Catholic

Posted on by Jason Peake

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City led from start to finish en route to a decisive 76-59 non-conference boys basketball victory over Springfield Catholic on Thursday night inside the Cardinal Dome.

In a game that featured no lead changes, the Cardinals raced out to advantages of 9-2 and 18-8 in taking control of the game early. 

“That start was huge for us,” Cardinals coach Jason Horn said. “We’ve struggled with our confidence the last few games. We’d been getting off to slow starts. The biggest thing was we moved the ball quickly and we got into our sets quickly. We got good shots and we made them pay for leaving us open early. We have some guys who can shoot the basketball, and it’s just a matter of confidence. The way we moved the ball tonight, our shooters got good clean looks and they were catching the ball in rhythm.” 

Pictured is Webb City sophomore guard Holton Keith.

The Cardinals improved to 4-2 and won for the second straight time, keeping their momentum going forward after Tuesday’s last-second win over Rogers Heritage. 

“I thought we had a couple of good days of practice this week and we had a really good test with Heritage,” Horn said. “That game prepared us for this game and I think we got some of our confidence back with that win. And I think it carried over tonight.” 

Webb City used a balanced attack, as all five starters scored in double figures.

“That’s another step for us,” Coach Horn said. “We’ve got a young group on the floor. We keep telling the guys they have to strive to get better with each game. I thought they did a good job of executing tonight.” 

Sophomore guard Holton Keith scored 17 points to lead the Cardinals, while senior guard Joe Adams and junior guard Barron Duda added 15 points apiece. Senior forward Alex Martin had 13 points and sophomore point guard Eli Pace contributed 10.

Webb City made 52 percent of its field goal attempts (27-of-52) and the Cardinals hit nine 3-pointers. Adams made five 3-pointers, while Duda hit three and Pace added a trey of his own. 

The 6-foot-5 Martin grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, while the 6-foot Pace handed out eight assists. 

The Fighting Irish, now under the direction of former Nixa coach Jay Osborne, fell to 1-4. 

Junior guard Brett Roberson scored 24 points on 7-of-10 shooting for the Irish, while senior Ryan Tauai added 17. Catholic made 21-of-47 shot attempts (45 percent). 

The Irish had 16 turnovers to Webb City’s eight. 

Again, Webb City never trailed in this one, as the Cardinals held a 25-17 lead at the end of the first quarter.

A pair of 3-pointers from Adams, both from the left wing, gave the Cardinals a 40-23 advantage in the second quarter. 

Pictured is Webb City sophomore guard Eli Pace.

By the break, Webb City held a 43-27 cushion.

The Cardinals’ lead was never in jeopardy in the second half. 

Webb City was up 54-36 entering the fourth quarter. 

A hoop in the lane from junior guard Omari Jackson and a trey from Duda extended Webb City’s lead to 59-39 early in the fourth quarter. 

The Cardinals’ largest lead was at 25 with 4:11 to play. 

4-STATES CHALLENGE IS SATURDAY

Webb City is hosting the annual 4-States Challenge on Saturday. 

There are five games scheduled — College Heights vs. Liberal at noon, East Newton vs. Sunrise Christian (Kansas) at 1:30, Carthage vs. Parkview at 3, Webb City vs. Monett at 4:30 and Joplin vs. Rogers (Arkansas) in the finale at approximately 6 p.m.

Horn noted local hoops fans won’t want to miss this year’s event.

“There are going to be a lot of good games and a lot of good players will be here in this gym,” Horn said. “Joplin has a really good team and Rogers has a tremendous freshman. He’s a 6-6 swingman who is very talented. Monett has one of the best, if not the best, shooters in Southwest Missouri (Blaine Salsman). We have a number of guys we think are pretty good too. Carthage and Parkview are two really good programs and feature really good guards. Fans will see good small school basketball and good large school basketball. I think all five games will be really good.”

 

FULL STATS: Webb City HS (webbcitycardinals.com)

 

LADY MUSTANG CLASSIC: Carl Junction dominates tourney title game

Posted on by Jason Peake

ANDERSON, Mo. — The Carl Junction Bulldogs scored the first 10 points of the game and never looked back during their commanding 69-40 win Wednesday night against Bentonville West (Arkansas) in the championship game of the 2022 Lady Mustang Classic.

It’s definitely a sign of a great start for one team and a horrible start for the other when the team losing has more timeouts called than points scored.

At the 3-minute, 47-second mark of the first quarter, Carl Junction already led Bentonville West 15-2 and Bentonville West coach Dion Hargrove already burned three timeouts.

“We came out ready to go,” Carl Junction coach Brad Shorter said. “This entire tournament, we’ve played well and we’re playing together as a team and good things are happening.”

Carl Junction’s Kylie Scott shoots from in close against Bentonville West’s Olivia Nickson on Wednesday night. Photo by Derek Livingston.

By halftime, Bentonville West used four of the five allotted timeouts.

Carl Junction’s five starters combined for 64 points Wednesday — all five of them scored at least seven points, three scored in double figures, and a fourth starter just missed double digits by a single point.

Sharing the basketball and spreading the wealth was Carl Junction’s offense on Wednesday.

“We talked about that in the locker room,” Shorter said. “Trying to increase our assist numbers. We had seven assists in that first quarter alone, and that was a lot of the reason for our great scoring. … I thought our defense was excellent, just smothering them and not giving them open looks. Our kids are starting to understand how to match up, we’re communicating, and having fun, and that’s what it’s all about.”

All-tournament selection Kylie Scott finished with a game-high 19 points, Dezi Williams added 18, all-tournament selection Destiny Buerge had 11 and senior guards Hali Shorter and Klohe Burk combined for 16 points with nine and seven, respectively. DeShaye Buerge hit a 3-point basket late in the third for her only points, and freshman Jadyn Howard closed out the scoring with a pair of free throws.

Carl Junction outscored Bentonville West 45-14 in the first and third quarters, and the Bulldogs turned a 36-24 halftime score into a 59-31 lead entering the fourth thanks to a 23-7 third-quarter advantage. 

The Bulldogs closed out the third with 11 unanswered points in 2:08.

“We talk about the first five minutes to start the game and then in the third quarter,” Coach Shorter said. “Big quarters for us. They beat us 17-14 in the second quarter. We took that and said that we need to do a better job when we come out. We needed to finish this game. This is a good win for us, because Bentonville West is a great team. They’re so well-coached and always so good. Our kids stepped up to the challenge and I’m proud of them.”

All-tournament selection Savannah Rangel led Bentonville West with 17 points and fellow all-tournament selection Maysa Willis added nine for the Wolverines (7-6 overall).

The Bulldogs ran their early season record to 8-1 overall and they seem to be tournament-tested already this season after three consecutive tournaments to start their season — first at their own home tournament and the Lady Mustang Classic, then second at the Tournament of Champions in Fort Smith (Arkansas).

Carl Junction senior standout Destiny Buerge makes a layup against Bentonville West’s Savannah Rangel during Wednesday’s championship game of the Lady Mustang Classic. Photo by Derek Livingston.

“We’re playing seven games in nine days,” Coach Shorter said. “We’ve got one Friday. It will be a tough one too against Strafford, who’s won multiple state championships. We want to battle test them, and I think we’ve done that. Our kids are starting to reap the rewards from it, so it’s a good start for us.”

Springdale, who Carl Junction has defeated twice this season (68-44 on Tuesday and 62-58 in the CJ Classic semifinals), earned third place with a 59-47 win Wednesday over Fort Smith Southside. 

 

Farmington 38, Webb City 35

Webb City finished 1-2 and sixth place overall in the Lady Mustang Classic.

Kate Brownfield scored 11 points to lead the Cardinals, while Mia Robbins had seven and Kim Martin added six. Skylar Sweeney led Farmington with 11, Jade Roth scored seven, and Madison Mills and Shelby Bowling each put in six points for the Knights.

Webb City, 4-4 on the season, returns to action Monday at home against Pittsburg (Kansas).

Gentry 49, McDonald County 33

Tournament host McDonald County failed to come away from their home tournament with a win and finished eighth.

Carlee Cooper led the Mustangs with 10 points, freshman Carlie Martin added seven, and Roslynn Huston had five. Martin was an all-tournament selection. 

Alyssa McCarty scored a game-high 16 points and Emma Tevebaugh generated 11 more points for the Pioneers.

McDonald County, 3-6 overall, does not play again until a new year when it hosts Carl Junction on Jan. 2, 2023.

Lady Mustang Classic
Seventh place: Gentry 49, McDonald County 33
Fifth place: Farmington 38, Webb City 35
Third place: Springdale 59, Southside 47
Title game: Carl Junction 69, Bentonville West 40

Lady Mustang Classic All-Tournament Team
Destiny Buerge, Carl Junction
Kylie Scott, Carl Junction
Maysa Willis, Bentonville West
Savannah Rangel, Bentonville West
Kaiya McCoy, Springdale
Sophia Neihouse, Southside
Skylar Sweeney, Farmington
Kate Brownfield, Webb City
Alyssa McCarty, Gentry
Carlie Martin, McDonald County

 

Carl Junction senior guard Hali Shorter shoots a 3-pointer against Bentonville West’s Ashley Rangel. Shorter hit three 3-pointers in the game.

 

Carl Junction coach Brad Shorter and the Bulldogs’ bench celebrate a hoop during Wednesday’s Lady Mustang Classic title game.

 

Carl Junction coach Brad Shorter gives his team instructions during a timeout on Wednesday night during the Lady Mustang Classic’s championship game.

 

Carl Junction’s Klohe Burk is pictured during Wednesday’s Lady Mustang Classic title game.

 

The Carl Junction Bulldogs accept the championship trophy after winning the Lady Mustang Classic on Wednesday night at McDonald County High School. All photos by Derek Livingston.

 

The Carl Junction Bulldogs pose with the championship trophy and the tourney bracket after winning the Lady Mustang Classic on Wednesday night. All photos by Derek Livingston.

GIRLS SWIMMING: Carthage wins Springfield Duals

Posted on by Jason Peake

The Carthage High School girls swim team captured the team championship at the Springfield Duals on Tuesday. 

Braden McBride’s Tigers topped the team standings with 344 points. 

Monett (205), Rogersville (187), Springfield Central (177), Waynesville (100), Marshfield (88), Seymour (44) and Jasper (24) rounded out the team standings.

Carthage’s 200-yard medley relay team of Aubree Santillan, Olivia Manning, Madison Riley and Joey Hettinger took first place in 2:00.

The 400 freestyle relay team of Riley, Santillan, Hettinger and Manning took first in 4:12.

The Tigers were second in the 200 freestyle relay, as Victoria Martinez, Kamryn Dininger, Madelyn Kennedy and Reese Lee recorded a time of 2:00.

Riley won two individual events, the 200 freestyle in 2:04 and the 500 freestyle in 5:40.

Santillan took first in the 100 backstroke (1:07) and was the runner-up in the 50 freestyle. 

Manning won the 100 breaststroke (1:17) and took second in the 100 butterfly.

Dininger placed third in the 200 free, while Martinez (200 IM, 100 fly), Hettinger (100 free), Alexis Fosdick (500 free) and Jekaterina Arnold (100 backstroke) all finished fourth in their respective events.

 

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Monett won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:58, with Claire Nation, Emma Parrigon, Emma Hunter and Sonnie Winfrey competing.

The Cubs were third in both the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay.

Monett’s Winfrey was the runner-up in the 100 freestyle and Grace Lee took third in the 500 freestyle.

Jasper’s Audrey Osterdyk placed third in two events, the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke.

BOYS HOOPS: Late bucket from Martin sends Webb City to win over Heritage

Posted on by Lucas Davis

WEBB CITY, Mo. — With the game tied at 54s and 6.5 seconds left in regulation, Webb City senior F Alex Martin caught the inbounds pass on the right wing, squared to the basket in a triple-threat stance before driving deep into the paint and putting the ball up and in with 1.1 ticks left to ultimately send the Cardinals to a 56-54 win over Rogers-Heritage (Arkansas) on Tuesday inside the Cardinal Dome. 

“He was big all night,” Webb City coach Jason Horn said of Martin’s go-ahead bucket. “The last play, it was a situation where he was going to have to make a read. … They gave him a little room and he got downhill. Coming out of the last timeout, we talked to him about not playing for the three-point play and just making sure to finish the basket. He went really strong to the rim and made a big man’s play.”

The win snaps a two-game skid to close out the Carthage Invitational for Webb City, with the Cardinals improving to 3-2 after victory over the War Eagles (2-8).

“I don’t know what is going to happen the rest of the season, but I know that locker room was ecstatic when I went in there,” Horn said about the importance of this win. “It was a big weight lifted off their shoulders. You could feel their confidence starting to come back. It is something that we may look back on in a few weeks and say that was a turning point for us. I think we grew up a lot tonight.” 

BY THE NUMBERS

Webb City sophomore guard Holton Keith scores inside during the Cardinals’ win over Heritage on Tuesday. Photo by Derek Livingston.

Webb City shot 42 percent from the field and 33 percent from the perimeter in the win.

Martin paced the Cardinals with 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting and to go along with nine rebounds and two assists.

“He carried us for a stretch,” Horn said of Martin’s performance. “From the second quarter, really through that fourth, he was someone we knew who was going to consistently put the ball in the basket. If we got the ball in his hands, we knew good things were going to happen. … He put us on his back when we needed it.”

Senior G Joe Adams made three 3-pointers on the way to 13 points, while junior G Barron Duda finished with 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and seven rebounds. Sophomore G Holton Keith had nine points and three assists.

DOWN THE STRETCH

Webb City entered the fourth quarter trailing 40-36 and got the first basket to trim the lead to one possession. The Cardinals and War Eagles traded scores over the next several possessions before Webb City took its first lead, 48-47, since midway through the second quarter on a score in the paint from Martin before Keith grabbed an offensive rebound for a putback and a foul, knocking down the ensuing and-1 free throw, to give Webb City a 51-47 lead with 2:20 to play.

Heritage junior F Ben Manuel—who finished with a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double—made a 3-pointer to cut the Webb City lead to one before an inside score from senior Carter Hensley gave the War Eagles a 52-51 lead with 1:17 left.

A 3-ball by Duda with 55 seconds left gave the Cardinals a 54-52 lead before a quick score inside by Manuel had the game knotted up at 54 with less than 45 seconds to play.

A Webb City turnover looked to lead to a game-deciding layup on the break the other way, but the transition basket was missed with the Cardinals grabbing the rebound and calling timeout with 6.5 seconds left to set up Martin’s game-winning basket.

HOW THEY GOT THERE

Early turnovers were the catalyst in Webb City falling behind early. The Cardinals had seven giveaways in the first quarter, which allowed the War Eagles to jump out to a 13-3 lead through the first six-plus minutes of action. 

“They were just playing nervous, tentative and a little bit scared,” Horn said of his team’s play through the first quarter. “And those things are uncharacteristic of us. We talked earlier and I think our confidence was a little shook from Friday night and Saturday. We needed to see the ball go in the basket to know that we are still good and can make plays. As the game wore on, they relaxed, their confidence rose and we were able to make winning plays.”

Webb City senior G Joe Adams drives to the rim during the Cardinals’ win over Heritage on Tuesday. Photo by Derek Livingston.

Webb City’s Adams knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers later in the quarter to help cut the Heritage lead to seven to start the second period.

The Cardinals opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run highlighted by a pair of paint scores from Martin and a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer from the corner by Duda to tie the game at 16-16 with 6:10 to play in the first.

Webb City took its first lead moments late on a 3-pointer from Adams, but both teams traded buckets and the lead until Heritage closed the first half on an 8-1 run, led by two 3-pointers from senior G James Isbell, who finished with 14 points and four assists, and junior G Eli Howard, with Isbell anding a score on the drive as well, to take a 33-24 lead into the intermission.

The Cardinals started the second half with the first six points off a bucket from Duda and four team charities to trim the deficit to 33-30 before Heritage went back up six on a three-point play from Manuel.

The lead remained between one and two possessions until the War Eagles took a 40-36 advantage into the last eight minutes. 

UP NEXT

Webb City hosts Springfield Catholic on Thursday.

 

FULL STATS: Webb City HS (webbcitycardinals.com)

BOYS HOOPS ROUNDUP: Neosho, McAuley both victorious; Carthage drops road game

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

NEOSHO 48, MONETT 31

MONETT, Mo. — Neosho’s boys basketball team used a strong fourth quarter to earn a 48-31 victory over Monett on Tuesday night.

Clinging to a four-point lead at the end of the third quarter, Neosho outscored Monett 17-4 in the final frame to earn the non-conference win.

“Great team defense by our guys,” Neosho coach Zane Culp said. “Monett had 11 points in the first four minutes then only scored 20 the rest of the game. It was ugly, but a good win for us.” 

Monett led 11-6 at the end of the first period, but Neosho won the second quarter 19-7 to take a 25-18 halftime advantage.

Neosho’s lead was down to 31-27 entering the fourth quarter. 

Isaiah Green scored 13 points to lead Neosho, while Michael Day added nine and Kael Smith had eight. 

“Michael Day had another great shooting night, hitting three huge 3-pointers,” Culp said. “Isaiah Green did an awesome job guarding their point guard and creating lots of offense for us.” 

Carter Baslee contributed six points and Carter Fenske chipped in five. Collier Hendricks scored four points and Brock Franklin added three for the Wildcats, who improved to 4-1 on the season.

Blaine Salsman and Jason Garner scored nine points apiece for the Cubs (3-2). 

Neosho hosts Seneca on Friday night.

 

SPRINGFIELD CENTRAL 63, CARTHAGE 55

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Carthage fell to 3-2 on the season after a non-conference setback to district opponent Springfield Central.

Central led 12-9 at the end of the first quarter and 30-22 at halftime. 

The Tigers trailed 47-36 at the end of the third quarter. Carthage outscored Central 19-16 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough. 

Four Tigers scored in double figures. Justin Ray led Carthage with 15 points, while Max Templeman had 12, Clay Kinder added 11 and Britt Coy contributed 10. 

Bryce Walker scored 20 and Sterling Vinson added 18 for the Bulldogs. 

Carthage takes on Parkview at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the 4-States Challenge at Webb City.

 

MCAULEY 46, EXETER 32

McAuley built a nine-point lead after the first quarter and expanded it out until the final horn in a win over Exeter on Tuesday.

“It was a good bounce back win for our guys,” McAuley coach Tony Witt said to SoMo Sports. “Now we have to focus on the next one.”

McAuley outscored Exeter 16-8 in the second period to lead 29-12 going into the intermission and held off the Tigers in the second half.

The Warriors improved to 3-5 on the season with the win.

Rocco Bazzano-Joseph and Bradley Wagner tied for the team lead in points with 12 each. Noah Black finished with nine points while Kable Reichardt added five and Michael Parrigon four.

McAuley is at Northeast Vernon County on Friday.

 

McAuley’s Michael Parrigon puts up a shot from in close during Tuesday’s contest against Exeter. McAuley won the game 46-32. Courtesy photo.

LADY MUSTANG CLASSIC: Carl Junction advances to title game with lopsided win over Springdale

Posted on by Jason Peake

ANDERSON, Mo. — For the third time in as many weeks, the Carl Junction Bulldogs will play for a tournament championship.

Ignited by fast starts to both the first and third quarters, Carl Junction rolled to a 68-44 victory over Springdale (Arkansas) on Tuesday night in the semifinals of the Lady Mustang Classic at McDonald County High School.

Carl Junction will meet Bentonville West in the tourney title game at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

It’s the third tourney championship game of the young season for Carl Junction. The Bulldogs won their own CJ Classic two weeks ago and were the runner-up at last week’s Taco Bell Tournament of Champions in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Ranked fourth in Class 5 by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association, Carl Junction improved to 7-1 on the season.

Just two weeks ago, Carl Junction edged Springdale 62-58 in the semifinals of the CJ Classic. The rematch was all CJ. Simply put, the Bulldogs dominated for most of the night.

Carl Junction raced out to an 18-5 lead by the end of the first period, with senior guard Destiny Buerge scoring nine in the frame.

Springdale started the second quarter on an 11-2 surge, with many of those points coming on hoops in transition. 

But Carl Junction weathered the storm and closed the first half on a 13-4 spurt for a 33-20 halftime advantage. 

During the late run, Kylie Scott scored six points, Klohe Burk converted an old-fashioned 3-point play and Dezi Williams and Jadyn Howard both scored baskets in the paint.

After the break, Carl Junction began the third period on a 17-0 run to blow the game open.

Buerge scored 14 points in the third period to Springdale’s nine, and Brad Shorter’s Bulldogs held a comfortable 56-29 lead by the end of the third quarter.

Carl Junction owned a 64-34 cushion in the final frame, and both coaches got their reserves plenty of time on the court late in the game. 

A Pittsburg State signee, Buerge scored 25 points to lead CJ. 

Scott added 14 points, while Williams had 11, Burk scored seven and Anna Burch contributed six.

Kaiya McCoy scored 13 for Springdale and Jakayla Bunch added 11. 

In the other semifinal, Bentonville West beat Fort Smith Southside 56-53.

In Tuesday’s consolation semifinals, Farmington edged Gentry 60-59 and Webb City beat McDonald County 38-35.

See a related story on the Webb City-McDonald County game. 

 

Lady Mustang Classic

Tuesday’s scores

Farmington 60, Gentry 59

Webb City 38, McDonald County 35

Carl Junction 68, Springdale 44

Bentonville West 56, Fort Smith Southside 53

 

Wednesday’s schedule

Seventh place: McDonald County vs. Gentry, 3 p.m.

Fifth place: Farmington vs. Webb City, 5

Third place: Springdale vs. Southside, 6:30

Title game: Carl Junction vs. Bentonville West, 8 

 

LADY MUSTANG CLASSIC: Webb City holds on late, beats McDonald County

Posted on by Jason Peake

ANDERSON, Mo. — Webb City connected on 5-of-7 free throws in the final minute to secure a hard-fought 38-35 victory over McDonald County on Tuesday in the consolation semifinals of the Lady Mustang Classic.

With the win, the Cardinals (4-3) advance to play Farmington in the tourney’s fifth-place game at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. 

McDonald County (3-5) will play Gentry (Arkansas) for seventh at 3:30 p.m.

After trailing early, Webb City scored the final seven points of the first quarter, as Malorie Stanley and Kylee Sargent both hit 3-pointers and Izzy Lopez made one free throw to give the Cardinals a 10-4 lead entering the second period.

A trey from Lopez gave the visitors a 15-6 advantage early in the second quarter, but Mac County freshman Carlie Martin scored three buckets to keep the Mustangs within striking distance.

Webb City received a hoop inside by Kim Martin and a trey from Kirra Long late in the first half before Mac County’s Megan Elwood made two free throws, cutting Webb City’s lead to 20-15 at the break. 

Webb City, once again played without starting post player Sami Mancini, also had to play much of the first half without senior Kate Brownfield, who picked up three fouls by the early stages of the second quarter. 

After intermission, the Mustangs scored the first nine points of the third quarter and took a 25-24 advantage into the fourth period. 

The game was deadlocked at 27 when the Cardinals took the lead for good after Brownfield and Dawsyn Decker each scored buckets inside.

Stanley’s mid-range jumper gave Webb City a four-point lead, but Mac County’s Martin answered with a hoop of her own with 1:20 to play.

Next, Brownfield made 3-of-4 shots at the charity stripe, McDonald County’s Jamie Washam hit two free throws of her own before Martin’s basket cut Webb City’s lead down to one with 16 seconds left.

The Cardinals and Mustangs both misfired on the front end of 1-and-1 free throws with 11 seconds and six seconds remaining, respectively. That kept the Cardinals in front by just a single tally.

Webb City’s Long was fouled with 3.2 seconds left, and the sophomore guard calmly sank both shots for the final margin. 

On the hosts’ final possession, a last-second heave near midcourt was off the mark.

A senior guard, Lopez scored 10 points to lead the Cardinals. Brownfield and Stanley scored six points apiece, while Long had five.

Martin scored 16 points to lead McDonald County, while Elwood added eight.

In the first consolation semifinal, Farmington edged Gentry 60-59.

 

Lady Mustang Classic

Tuesday’s scores

Farmington 60, Gentry 59

Webb City 38, McDonald County 35

Carl Junction 68, Springdale 44

Bentonville West 56, Fort Smith Southside 53

 

Wednesday’s schedule

Seventh place: McDonald County vs. Gentry, 3 p.m.

Fifth place: Farmington vs. Webb City, 5

Third place: Springdale vs. Southside, 6:30

Title game: Carl Junction vs. Bentonville West, 8 

 

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.

WRESTLING: Carthage takes fifth at Farmington

Posted on by Jason Peake

The Carthage High School wrestling team finished fifth in the final team standings at the Farmington Invitational on Saturday. 

The top five teams were Hillsboro (284), Farmington (245), Jackson (216.5), Hannibal (213) and Carthage (206).

Rounding out the team standings were Poplar Bluff (116.5), Eureka (114), Pacific (78) and Lindbergh (45).

Carthage had two individual champions at the event, as Bradyn Tate won the 132-pound bracket and Davion King took first at 165.

In the title bout at 132, Tate won by fall over Farmington’s Zeke Moreland. 

King earned a 5-0 decision over Hillsboro’s Eddie Hines in the title match at 165.

Carthage’s Grey Petticrew was the runner-up at 150 pounds. He dropped a 4-1 decision to Poplar Bluff’s Lucas Robertson in the title match.

Also for the Tigers, Alberto Salas (113), Trey Nye (157) and David Recinos (285) all won third-place matches in their respective brackets.

Finishing fourth for the Tigers were Aydan Nye (126), Matthew Bysor (157) and Alexander Salas-Marquez (215), while Tanner Putt (106) and Gabe Lambeth (165) both took fifth.

Wyatt Hole (120) and Kip Castor (144) finished sixth in their brackets.

Carthage hosts Joplin at 6 on Tuesday night. It will be Senior Night for the Tigers.

GIRLS SWIMMING: Riley sets school records, Carthage takes fifth at Winnetonka Invite

Posted on by Jason Peake

Led by a strong showing from Madison Riley, the Carthage High School girls swim team finished fifth at the Winnetonka Holiday Invitational on Saturday. 

There were 26 teams competing at the event. Liberty North (315), Staley (262.5), Notre Dame de Sion (181), Lee’s Summit (171) and Carthage (164) were the top five teams.

A senior, Riley set four school records at the event, Tigers coach Braden McBride said. 

Riley won two individual events — the 200-yard freestyle (1:56) and the 100-yard butterfly (58.13). 

The Tigers finished second in the 200 freestyle relay in 1:46, with Riley, Aubree Santillan, Olivia Manning and Joey Hettinger competing.

Carthage’s 200 medley relay team of Santillan, Manning, Victoria Martinez and Hettinger finished third in 2:00. 

The CHS team of Riley, Santillan, Manning and Hettinger placed fifth in the 400 free relay with a time of 4:00.

Santillan placed fourth in the 100 backstroke and Manning took eighth in the 100 breaststroke.

Carthage is scheduled to compete at the Springfield Duals on Tuesday.

GIRLS SWIMMING: Webb City wins Red Bird Invite; Carl Junction, Joplin finish second, third

Posted on by Jason Peake

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Led by seven event wins, the hosts captured the team championship at the Red Bird Invitational girls swim meet on Saturday.

Webb City topped the team standings with 397 points. Carl Junction was the runner-up with 300 points and Joplin took third with 151.

There were nine teams in attendance.

 

WEBB CITY HIGHLIGHTS

The Cardinals won seven of the 12 events, including all three relays. 

Webb City’s 200-yard medley relay team of Norah Klosterman, Sophia Whitesell, Camryn Klosterman and Olivia Honey took first with a time of 2:05.

Webb City’s 200 freestyle relay team of Skylar Powell, Alix Davis, Honey and Avery Mitchell recorded a winning time of 1:50.

The 400 freestyle relay team of Powell, Mitchell, Davis and Whitesell won with a time of 4:02.

Whitsell won a pair of individual events — the 200 IM and the 500 freestyle.

Hally Philpot took first in the 100 breaststroke, while Kelli Tollefson was the top performer in the 1-meter diving competition.

Finishing second in their individual events were Norah Klosterman (200 free, 500 free), Powell (100) and Kiera McDonald (diving).

Taking third place in their respective events were Allie Eggleston (200 free, 500 free), Camryn Klosterman (200 IM, 100 butterfly) and Davis (100 free, 100 backstroke).

Finishing fourth were Honey (200 free) and Mitchell (50 free, 100 free). Powell finished fifth in the 50 free. 

 

CARL JUNCTION HIGHLIGHTS

The Bulldogs won four events.

Chloe Miller won two events for the Bulldogs — the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25.44 seconds and the 100 freestyle in 58.4 seconds.

Madeleine Garoutte took first in the 100 butterfly in 1:06, while Skyler Sundy won the 100 backstroke in 1:06.

Carl Junction took second in five events, including all three relays.

The 200 medley relay team of Sundy, Abigail Holcomb, Sophia Holcomb and Kennedy Johnson took second in 2:09.

The Bulldogs were second in the 200 free relay, with Garoutte, Elyanna Dogotch, Avari Fifer and Sydney Ward finishing in 1:54.

CJ’s 400 free relay team of Garoutte, Dogotch, Sundy and Sophia Holcomb finished second in 4:08.

Taking second in their individual events were Garoutte (200 IM) and Abigail Holcomb (100 breaststroke). 

Sundy was third in the 50 free and Johnson placed fourth in the 500 free, while Abigail Holcomb and Sophia Holcomb were fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 200 IM.

Finishing fifth in their events were Fifer (200 free), Sophia Holcomb (100 fly), Dogotch (100 free) and Ward (100 breaststroke).

 

JOPLIN HIGHLIGHTS

Joplin’s 200 medley relay team of Lily Rakes, Taegen Smith, Kiki Thom and Megan Walser finished third.

The JHS 400 freestyle relay team of Thom, Lydia Barwick, Walser and Rakes took third.

The Eagles placed sixth in the 200 freestyle relay, with Barwick, Brooklyn Hiller, Allysun Higdon and Gwen Zamanzadeh competing.

Also for the Eagles, Rakes finished fourth in the 100 backstroke, Thom placed fourth in the 100 butterfly and Smith was fourth in the 100 breaststroke.

Walser and Rakes were fifth and sixth in the 500 freestyle.

 

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Thomas Jefferson’s Natalie Carroll finished second in two events — the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke.

TJ’s Meghan Mueller finished third in the 100 breaststroke.

Greenwood’s Reese Moore won the 200 freestyle. It was the only event that wasn’t won by Webb City or Carl Junction. 

 

Red Bird Invitational

Team standings: Webb City 397, Carl Junction 300, Joplin 151, Marshfield 114, Bolivar 89, Hillcrest 79, Thomas Jefferson 39, Seymour 29, Greenwood 29.

 

BOYS HOOPS: Eagles repeat as champs after rallying to beat Tigers in Carthage Invitational finals

Posted on by Lucas Davis

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Joplin entered the fourth quarter trailing by four, but once the Eagles regained the lead, they never relinquished it on the way to a 60-54 win over Carthage in the 76th annual Carthage Invitational championship game on Saturday. 

“We didn’t have a very good start to the first quarter, but I think we held them to 10 points,” Joplin coach Bronson Schaake said. “Then we got into some foul trouble and they went after those guys. We stayed within one at the half, and I thought whoever had the lead after the third was going to win. We were down, but our dudes battled and we got stops.

Joplin’s All Wright knocks down a mid-range jumper in the Eagles’ win over the Tigers in the Carthage Invitational championship game. Photo by Jessica Greninger.

“I thought the matchups were tough on both sides. They can shoot and we’re a big team, so I just told our guys to get to the paint and make free throws as well. It was a grind-it-out game, which we needed. … They’re a really good team. (Max) Templeman is a shifty, quick guard who is smart and can get into your body. He gets them going. (Justin) Ray is constantly moving, and he has expanded his game—he has the mid-range and he is getting to the bucket. (Clay) Kinder is always a matchup problem. If he knows he can take a big, he is really smart about it. They’re just a well-coached team and they move the ball extremely well.”

With the win, the Eagles, who improved to 4-1, are the first back-to-back Carthage Invitational champions since Heritage (Arkansas) in 2013 and ‘14.

“Confidence,” Schaake said when asked what this early-season tournament title win does for his team. “I think it shows them what they can do. Ray-Pec is a quality team and Carthage is going to be one of the better teams in our league. It shows that we have a whole new level we can get to as well. I think confidence is pushing us in the right direction.”

The defeat is the first of the year for Carthage, which falls to 3-1.

“I thought our kids played hard,” Carthage coach Nathan Morris said. “When Max (Templeman) hit that shot to send us into the fourth quarter with a four-point lead, I thought we were in a good spot despite the fact that we didn’t rebound well enough throughout the entire game. They were more physical than us at the rim, and we aren’t going to win many basketball games when we shoot 3-of-15 or 16 from the 3-point line and these guys know that. We’re pretty good at attacking the rim, but we’re going to have to bury some outside shots.

“I hate this for our seniors, who had a chance to win this tournament. Our group was upset, but they weren’t down because they realize that we still have a high ceiling for our team this season. We are going to keep getting better.”

DOWN THE STRETCH

Carthage’s Britt Coy scores inside during the Tigers’ loss to Joplin in the Carthage Invitational championship game. Photo by Jessica Greninger.

After a free throw from the Tigers early in the fourth, Joplin rallied to regain the lead, 42-41, with six straight points coming in the form of two buckets from junior G All Wright and dunk on the break by senior F Terrance Gibson off a turnover by Carthage.

The Tigers jumped back out in front on a drive by senior G Max Templeman the next trip down the court, but it would be the last time Carthage held the lead in the waning minutes.

Joplin used a basket from junior F Whit Hafer and a 3-pointer off a ball screen at the top of the key by Wright for a 47-43 advantage with 5:30 to play. 

Joplin pushed the lead to five thanks to a three-point play on a putback score from Gibson with 4:15 to push the lead to make the score 49-45.

The Eagles and Tigers traded scores evenly through the remainder of the contest without Carthage able to trim the lead to one possession for a chance to tie the game.

HOW THEY GOT THERE

Carthage opened the game with the momentum after kicking things off with an 8-2 run through the first three and a half minutes of action, fueled by six points from senior F Clay Kinder on a pair of old-fashioned three-point plays. 

Joplin responded by closing the first period on an 11-2 surge to take a 13-10 lead into the second quarter. Junior F Hobbs Gooch scored in the paint early in the run and closed it out with a driving score. Sophomore G Collis Jones grabbed an offensive rebound for a putback and Wright hit a pair of runners to fill out the run.

The lead changed hands five times in the final 2:15 of the second period. Joplin led 16-10 early in the period on a Jones’ 3-pointer before the Tigers rallied to tie it on a 3-pointer from Kinder at the wind with 3:15 to play. Carthage went in front on the next trip down the court on a free throw from Templeman. Wright and Templeman traded two makes at the stripe before trading driving scores to close out the first half with the Tigers on top 27-26.

“You can just point out how important every detail is,” Morris said when asked what he hopes his team takes from this loss moving forward. “A rebound here, missed free throw there, a missed assignment on defense or you didn’t execute a set on the offensive end—they matter in games that are that tight.”

Joplin took the lead back out of the break with the first two buckets of the second half on a mid-range jumper from Hafer and a transition layup by Gibson for a 30-27 advantage. 

Joplin’s Quin Renfro drives to the basket for a bucket during the Eagles’ win over Carthage on Saturday. Photo by Jessica Greninger.

Carthage countered by scoring 11 of the last 15 points of the third quarter to take a 40-36 lead into the final eight minutes. Senior G Britt Coy started the run with an offensive rebound for a putback score before junior G Justin Ray buried a 3-pointer from the corner to give the Tigers a 34-32 lead with 2:50 to play. Kinder added a baseline drive before the half closed with Gibson getting a pair of scores in the paint for Joplin, with Ray and Templeman countering with inside hoops of their own to keep the Carthage lead at four entering the fourth quarter.

“We talked about it in the locker room after the game, but you have to care if you’re going to be good at anything,” Schaake said when asked about his team closing out games in the fourth quarter this season. “We’re young in areas and we have pieces who are getting better and better. I don’t think we are anywhere near where we are going to be defensively. We still have to get better with communication on certain things. … But (the way they are closing out games) shows me that they care enough to want to buckle down and fight, which is what you need from a young group.”

SCORING LEADERS

Wright led all scorers with 23 points, 12 coming in the first half. Gibson closed with 16 points, while Quin Refro had six and Jones five. Hafer and Gooch each added four.

Kinder and Templeman each finished with 17 points to lead the Tigers in scoring. Coy added 11 to give Carthage three players in double figures. Ray finished with seven and Trent Yates scored two.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

MVP – All Wright, Joplin

Max Templeman, Carthage

Justin Ray, Carthage

Ashton Jermain, Raymore-Peculiar

Joseph Graves, Rush

Barron Duda, Webb City

Alex Martin, Webb City

Quin Renfro, Joplin

Jeremiah Lewis, Leavenworth

Elijah Watts, Raymore-Peculiar

UP NEXT

Joplin hosts Lee’s Summit on Friday.

Carthage is at Springfield Central on Tuesday.

GIRLS HOOPS: Tournament host Joplin places fourth in Lady Eagle Classic

Posted on by Lucas Davis

Despite taking a 56-18 loss on Saturday in the third-place game of the 26th annual Freeman Lady Eagle Classic at Kaminsky Gymnasium, the Joplin Eagles showed improvement from their 68-21 loss Friday against Farmington (Arkansas) and their season-opening 83-38 loss against Saturday’s opponent Kickapoo.

Joplin’s former rival in the Ozark Conference, Kickapoo scored the first 16 points of the game, blanked Joplin in the first quarter, went on a 17-0 run during the second and third quarters, and held a combined 32-4 advantage on the scoreboard from the first and third quarters.

“We counted at halftime, and I think we turned them (Kickapoo) over 13 at halftime,” Joplin coach Brad Cox said. “We were probably 7-10 second half, so we created 23 turnovers tonight. We understood that after losing Brynn (Driver), scoring is going to be an issue for us for a little while, but we have a plan in place to get that back. If we’re able to do that and limit some of our turnovers to where they get some offense and easy points, it’s a 10-point game.

“We definitely are trending in the right direction. Yesterday was our shock and awe at losing our leader (Driver), but today we were zoned in and played good defense and rebounded the ball well. I was very happy, and it was a lot better than the first time.”

During the second quarter, Joplin narrowed it to 22-10 behind a pair of 3-point baskets from Bailey Ledford and two points each from Isabella Yust and Alissa Owens.

Unfortunately, though, for the Eagles, they would never get any closer since Kickapoo scored the final nine of the first half and the first eight of the second half to go ahead 39-10.

Kickapoo put the game in running clock mode for the fourth with a 47-14 lead entering the final eight minutes.

Ledford led Joplin with seven points, Serafina Auberry added three, and Yust, Owens, Bailey Owens and Jill McDaniel each had two.

Miya Nieto and Allison Scott each paced Kickapoo with 12 points and Mikayla Smith had 10.

The Eagles came away from their home tournament with a quarterfinal win against Leavenworth (Kansas) and fourth place overall.

“Fourth place in a tournament like this with this caliber of teams, it’s great,” Cox said. “I feel like this year people are looking at us to be more down and I just feel like we’re trending in the right direction. We’ve battled adversity in this tournament and it’s only going to make us better and help us out at the end of the season when it really matters.”

Joplin, 2-5 overall, returns to action Friday at home against Lee’s Summit.

GIRLS HOOPS: Buerge scores 39, but Carl Junction falls to Sapulpa in TOC title game

Posted on by Jason Peake

FORT SMITH, Ark. — The Carl Junction girls basketball team settled for the runner-up plaque at the Taco Bell Tournament of Champions.

Short-handed Carl Junction suffered an 82-59 setback to a solid Sapulpa, Oklahoma, squad in the event’s championship game on Saturday night at Northside High School.

It was Carl Junction’s first loss of the season after five wins.

Carl Junction senior guard Destiny Buerge scored a game-high 39 points. A Pittsburg State signee, Buerge made 12 field goals, including five 3-pointers, to go with 10-of-13 free throws. Buerge scored 106 points in the three tourney games.

Sophomore forward Dezi Williams added 12 points for Carl Junction.

Carl Junction played nearly all of the game without junior forward Kylie Scott, who was limited by an ankle injury she suffered during Friday’s game.

Sapulpa’s Stailee Heard, an Oklahoma State recruit, scored 25 points. Tyla Heard added 20 for the Chieftains. Two others reached double figures for Sapulpa, as Taylor Bilby scored 11 and Raegan McQuarters added 10.

Sapulpa scored the first eight points of the game and led 22-10 by the end of the first quarter. Buerge had eight of CJ’s 10 points in the opening frame.

In the second quarter, a hoop inside by Williams and back to back treys from Buerge cut Carl Junction’s deficit to six, but the Chieftains finished the first half on an 18-6 run for a 44-26 halftime advantage.

Carl Junction scored the first 11 points of the third quarter, with Williams scoring six and Buerge scoring five during the spurt. Those points cut CJ’s deficit to 44-37.

But the Chieftains used an 11-5 run to go up 55-42. Carl Junction got treys from Klohe Burk and Buerge late in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs trailed 61-48 entering the fourth period.

Sapulpa scored eight unanswered points early in the final frame to take a 20-point lead at 69-49.

Buerge and Scott were named to the all-tournament team, while senior Hali Shorter was one of the Heart of a Champion award recipients.

Carl Junction will take on Gentry (Arkansas) at 3:30 on Monday at the Mustang Classic at McDonald County High School.

BOYS HOOPS: Webb City drops invite’s third-place game to Ray-Pec; Nevada earns first win

Posted on by Jason Peake

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Webb City never got on track in the third-place game of the 76th Carthage Invitational.

As a result, the Cardinals suffered a second straight disappointing setback.

Riding a strong first half, Raymore-Peculiar defeated Webb City 59-28 on Saturday inside the Carthage High School gymnasium.

The Panthers hit seven 3-pointers in the opening half and led 36-15 at halftime. The Cardinals were held to single digits in three of the four quarters in their tourney finale. 

“The last two games exposed a lot of things we have to improve upon offensively,” Cardinals coach Jason Horn said. “Defensively, we have to continue to improve on how we’re rotating and how we’re communicating off the ball.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys out there playing big minutes and we had minimal varsity experience coming back, so it’s been an adjustment for them,” added Horn, who recorded win No. 100 at Webb City on Thursday when the Cardinals beat Leavenworth. “We have capable players, but we have to improve how we handle the swings of the game and how to handle it when we’re not making shots and when things aren’t going our way. I know we’ll get better at those things.” 

Senior forward Alex Martin scored 12 points to lead Webb City (2-2). He was the lone Cardinal to score more than four points.

Ashton Jermain scored 14 points to lead the Panthers, while Cannon Northcraft added 12. 

Raymore-Peculiar (2-2) hit 10 treys in the game, while Webb City made just one, a 3 from Joe Adams.

In the first-ever meeting between the schools in boys basketball, Ray-Pec limited Webb City to one field goal in the first quarter, and the Panthers led 12-5.

Martin’s layup cut Webb City’s deficit to five early in the second period, but Raymore-Peculiar used a 12-1 run to take a 24-8 advantage.

During the surge, the Panthers hit a trio of 3-pointers while the Cardinals struggled offensively. 

By the break, Ray-Pec’s lead was 36-15. 

The Cardinals were limited to five field goals in the first half, all from inside the arc.

The third quarter was even, 9-9, but Webb City’s deficit was 45-24 entering the fourth period.

The Panthers outscored the Cardinals 14-4 in the final frame.

The Cardinals went 1-2 at the invite, beating Leavenworth and falling to Carthage and Ray-Pec. 

Webb City has three home games ahead this week, as the Cardinals host Rogers Heritage on Tuesday, Springfield Catholic on Thursday and Monett next Saturday at the 4-States Challenge.

NEVADA 55, FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE 53

Nevada picked up its first win of the season by beating Southside 55-53 in the tourney’s seventh-place game.

“I’m proud of our guys,” Tigers coach Shaun Gray said. “It’s nice to get that first win. Our kids have been working their tails off and they’re a great group, so it feels good that they were able to get into the win column.” 

Senior forward Drew Beachler scored a career-high 22 points for the Tigers, while senior guard Cade Beshore added 12.

Alex Roper led Southside with 17 points.

Nevada led 16-12 at the end of the first quarter, 28-20 at halftime and 44-33 by the end of the third quarter.

“We defended well and we got some stops and I thought that fueled us on the offensive end,” Gray said of building a nice lead. “That’s something we’ve been working on. We got some steals for layups and we hit a couple of 3-pointers that were key for us.”

Down by as much as 12 in the second half, Southside made a run late in the game, pulling within two with just under a second to play. The Tigers were able to inbound the ball and run out the clock. 

“That’s the first time this year we’ve been the team trying to hold on to a lead at the end,” Gray noted. “We’ve been on the other side of it, so it was a good lesson for us.”

Nevada (1-5) will be among the teams competing at the Mustang Classic next week at McDonald County.

In other action, Leavenworth topped RUSH 59-52 in the fifth-place game.

 

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

All Wright, Joplin

Quin Renfro, Joplin

Max Templeman, Carthage

Justin Ray, Carthage

Ashton Jermain, Raymore-Peculiar

Elijah Watts, Raymore-Peculiar

Barron Duda, Webb City

Alex Martin, Webb City

Jeremiah Lewis, Leavenworth

Joe Graves, RUSH

BOYS HOOPS: Neosho rallies from behind to beat McDonald County in 5th-place game

Posted on by Lucas Davis

PEA RIDGE, Ark. — Neosho came from behind to earn a 50-44 victory over McDonald County in the fifth-place game of the Battle at the Ridge boys basketball tournament on Saturday at Pea Ridge High School.

The Wildcats trailed by nine in the first half (18-9) and by five in the second half (38-33).

“This was a great team win,” Neosho coach Zane Culp said. “Brock Franklin and Michael Day stepped up huge today by hitting shots and guarding Mac’s best players (Dowd and Woods). Kael Smith was an absolute dog today. On an injured ankle, he absolutely battled and led us in every way and played every minute of the second half.” 

The Mustangs held a 12-6 lead at the end of the low-scoring first quarter and Mac County was up 22-19 at halftime.

McDonald County held a slim 38-36 lead at the end of the third period.

The game was tied at 44 with just under four minutes to play and Neosho’s Smith made two free throws to give the Wildcats a two-point lead.

Neosho’s Franklin hit a key fadeaway midrange jumper with 30 seconds left to give the Wildcats a four-point cushion.

Smith converted two free throws with 18 seconds remaining for a 49-44 cushion.

The Mustangs were unable to overcome several empty possessions in the fourth quarter. Neosho outscored McDonald County 14-6 in the fourth quarter. 

Smith scored 21 points to lead the Wildcats, while Franklin added 11 and Day contributed nine points. 

The Wildcats played without Isaiah Green and Carter Baslee, as both players were taking the ACT. 

Sterling Woods scored 13 to lead the Mustangs, while Weston Gordon had 10 and Destyn Dowd added seven. 

Both teams have road games on Tuesday, as Neosho is at Monett and McDonald County travels to Willard.

McDonald County will host the Mustang Classic from Dec. 15-17.

Experienced sports journalists providing great local sports coverage in Southwest Missouri.

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