WEBB CITY, Mo. — Carthage found itself in an early hole and never recovered in a 67-53 loss to a talented Thayer squad on Saturday night at the 4-States Challenge at Webb City High School’s Cardinal Dome.
The undefeated Bobcats (4-0) scored the first eight points of the game and tallied 23 points in the opening quarter en route to victory.
“I told our guys that is an extremely well-coached, experienced and really skilled basketball team,” Carthage coach Nathan Morris said of the Bobcats. “That didn’t feel like a 14-point game. It didn’t feel like we were ever in the game. They did a great job of controlling the game from the jump.”
A returning all-state performer, Jordan Andrews poured in 30 points to lead Thayer. Andrews made 10 field goals, including three 3-pointers, and 7-of-8 free throws. Gaige Pitts added 12 points for the Bobcats and Jayce Haven scored 10.
Thayer returned its entire lineup from last year’s team that won 22 games and captured a district championship.
Sophomore guard Max Templeman scored 15 points to lead Carthage (3-3). Templeman made three 3-pointers.
Junior guard Joel Pugh and senior forward Patrick Carlton scored 14 points apiece for Carthage, while freshman Justin Ray had six points and senior Silas Templeman added four.
The Tigers trailed 15-5 early, but rallied late in the opening frame. Five straight points from Max Templeman—two free throws and a trey—cut Carthage’s deficit to 19-16.
But in a game-changing swing, Thayer scored four quick points in the final seconds, as Landry Pitts made a layup, the Tigers turned the ball over on the inbounds play and Lane Grims scored on a buzzer-beating hoop for a 23-16 lead.
Thayer outscored Carthage 19-14 in the second period to take a 42-30 halftime lead.
The third quarter was even, 13-13, but Carthage trailed 55-43 entering the fourth quarter.
The Tigers were unable to make a serious run at the lead in the final frame, as the two teams simply traded buckets the rest of the way. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Tigers.
Morris noted his team is still trying to come together.
“We have to find a way to be locked in for 32 minutes,” Morris said. “It’s hard to do it against a team like that. They play an amazing matchup zone. We tried to play our game, but the zone really affected us. We didn’t shoot the ball well tonight.”
Morris added playing a team of Thayer’s caliber at this stage of the season will only benefit his squad going forward.
“That is a very similar team to what we’ll see in a Republic or an Ozark…just the way they play, and how smart they play,” he said.
Carthage returns to action on Dec. 28 against St. Pius X at the Rolla Tournament.
