WILLARD, Mo. — Area squads had mixed results at the Class 5 District 6 basketball tournament on Saturday at Willard High School.
Girls teams from Carl Junction and Webb City earned victories, while Neosho and McDonald County suffered season-ending setbacks.
On the boys side, Neosho and Webb City claimed wins, while Carl Junction and McDonald County saw their seasons come to an end.
GIRLS BRACKET
Top-seeded Carl Junction defeated eighth-seeded Hillcrest 75-34, while fourth-seeded Parkview topped fifth-seeded Neosho 53-36.
Second-seeded Willard beat seventh-seeded McDonald County 74-43 and third-seeded Webb City edged sixth-seeded Bolivar 55-51.
In Monday’s semifinals, Carl Junction will take on Parkview at 6 p.m. and Webb City will meet Willard at 7:30.
The title game is slated for 6 on Friday night.
BOYS BRACKET
Top-seeded Bolivar handled eighth-seeded Carl Junction 74-23, while fourth-seeded Neosho beat fifth-seeded Willard 78-67.
Second-seeded Parkview upended seventh-seeded Hillcrest 57-52, while third-seeded Webb City beat sixth-seeded McDonald County 71-53.
The semifinals are set for Tuesday, with Bolivar vs. Neosho at 6 and Parkview vs. Webb City at 7:30.
The title game is scheduled for 7:30 on Friday night.
A CLOSER LOOK:
WEBB CITY GIRLS 55, BOLIVAR 51
Freshman Sami Mancini scored 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Cardinals, while Kenzie Robbins added 11 points and Kate Brownfield had 10.
Cora Roweton scored 17 points to lead Bolivar.
This one was close all the way, as there were eight ties and 11 lead changes.
The Liberators led 15-12 at the end of the first quarter and 27-24 at halftime. Webb City led 39-38 after three periods of play.
The Cardinals outscored the Liberators 16-13 in the fourth quarter.
Robbins knocked down a key 3-pointer late in the game and the Cardinals connected on 8-of-13 free throws in the second half.
PARKVIEW GIRLS 53, NEOSHO 36
Neosho’s Karlee Ellick and Beclynn Garrett scored eight points apiece in the loss to Parkview.
The Wildcats finish the season at 8-18.
NEOSHO BOYS 78, WILLARD 67
“We played a great team game tonight,” Neosho coach Zane Culp told SoMo Sports. “I’m so proud of our guys for showing up and just taking care of business. Our defense was outstanding on their big men tonight. I can’t say enough about our effort.”
Neosho led 21-14 at the end of the first quarter and the Wildcats held a 37-30 advantage at intermission. Neosho was clinging to a 53-45 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Wildcats finished strong by putting up 25 points in the fourth period.
Four players scored in double figures for the Wildcats.
K’dyn Waters scored 23 points to lead Neosho, while Isaiah Green had 19, Kael Smith contributed 15 and Carter Baslee chipped in 11 points.
Trey Pulford scored 25 points for Willard and Brett Hall had 16.
WEBB CITY BOYS 71, MCDONALD COUNTY 53
A big third quarter and Max Higginbotham’s big night propelled the Cardinals past the Mustangs.
The Cardinals were up 28-23 at halftime, but they erupted for 27 points in the third period.
Webb City went up 20 at 52-32 on Higginbotham’s four-point play late in the third quarter. The Cardinals never gave up their big lead in the final frame.
A senior guard, Higginbotham led Webb City with 29 points. He made eight 3-pointers and scored 19 points in the third period.
Kaden Turner added 11 points for the Cardinals, while Isaiah Brisco, Dante Washington and Trey Roets added nine points apiece. The Cardinals, now 18-8, played without Cohl Vaden.
Acher Wagner scored 11 points for McDonald County, while Eli McClain and Teddy Reedybacon added seven points apiece.
The Mustangs finish the season at 12-14.
