SPRINGDALE (ARK.) 52, CARL JUNCTION 14 (CHAMPIONSHIP)
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction was without its top two performers from last season and it showed in a loss to Springdale, Arkansas, in the 47th Annual Freeman Sports Medicine CJ Classic basketball tournament title game on Thursday.
Carl Junction was without senior F Kylie Scott, an Oral Roberts signee, and junior G/F Dezi Williams, and the inexperience of CJ’s remaining roster showed up early.
Springdale forced Carl Junction into nine turnovers in the first quarter, which fueled a 16-0 run out of the gate to take a commanding lead. Springdale’s Kaiya McCoy had eight points in the opening run, while Jakayla Bunch had four.
Carl Junction scored the final four points of the quarter on inside scores from freshman Maddy Huffman and junior Kenna Ellison.
Springdale started the second period as hot as the first, scoring the first 15 points of the quarter to balloon the lead to 31-4. Carl Junction had five turnovers in that span.
Springdale knocked down a set of 3-pointers in the run, with Carolinda Hudson contributing eight points and two triples.
Springdale held the pace in the second half.
McCoy finished with a game-high 16, while Hudson finished with 10 and Bunch with eight to lead Springdale.
Huffman led Carl Junction with six points, while senior Anna Burch had four points.
Carl Junction takes part in the Freeman Lady Eagles Classic basketball tournament starting Dec. 7.
MCDONALD COUNTY 58, NEOSHO 22 (THIRD-PLACE GAME)
McDonald County started fast and finished strong in a win over Neosho in the third-place game of the CJ Classic on Thursday.
The Mustangs built a 16-point lead by the intermission and outscored the Wildcats by 16 in the third quarter to build an insurmountable lead down the stretch.
McDonald County had three players finish in double figures, Carlie Martin and Carlee Cooper each scored 12 to lead the team. Jamie Washam was also in double figures with 10. Roslynn Huston was right behind with eight points.
Beclynn Garrett led Neosho in scoring with 10 points, while Jazmyn Washington had four and Courtney Thomason finished three.
McDonald County (3-1) hosts Shiloh Christian on Monday.
Neosho hosts Lamar on Thursday.
NEVADA 46, PARKVIEW 14 (FIFTH-PLACE GAME)
Nevada held Parkview to two points in the first half to fuel a 27-point lead by the intermission on the way to the blowout win in the fifth-place game of the CJ Classic on Thursday.
Nevada outscored Parkview 18-0 in the first period before allowing the Vikings a pair of free throws in the second period.
Clara Swearingen led Nevada with 13 points, including three 3-pointers, while Lucy Swearingen and Lakyn Applegate each finished with 12 points apiece. Both players knocked down four triples to total their scoring.
Austin Hall had 13 points, including three 3-pointers, to lead Parkview in scoring.
Nevada is at Pittsburg, Kansas, on Tuesday.
CJ CLASSIC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
MVP – Charleen Hudson, Springdale
Clara Swearingen, Nevada
Beclynn Garrett, Neosho
Carlie Martin, McDonald County
Kylie Scott, Carl Junction
Jakayla Bunch, Springdale
Kaiya McCoy, Springdale
