Carthage girls run away from Hillcrest in season opener
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Carthage girls basketball team saw its season start in dominant fashion after starting the opener with a 23-0 lead after the first quarter on the way to a 79-33 road win over Hillcrest on Tuesday.
“We came out very aggressive from the start and overwhelmed them with our intense defense and attacking offense,” Carthage coach Scott Moore said to SoMo Sports. “It was a great start to our season. If we can replicate that 32 minutes of relentless style of basketball at both ends every game, we will be very successful this season.”
After taking a 54-13 lead into the half, the Tigers’ defense started the second half just as strong as the first after outscoring the Hornets 26-4 in the third quarter to put an exclamation point on the win.
Carthage (1-0) finished with three players in double figures. Kianna Yates scored 21 points while Hailey Fullerton added 20 points to lead the Tigers in scoring. Fullerton knocked down three 3-pointers, while Yates hit a pair of triples. Presley Probert scored 13 points, sinking three from the perimeter. Lauren Wilson scored seven, while Katie Crowe and Landy Cochran each scored six.
Jimmesha Davis led the Hornets (0-1) with 18 points, with Maddy Goodwin adding five points and Tiana Gourdin four.
Big third quarter leads McAuley girls to win
The McAuley Catholic girls basketball team opened the season with a 45-33 win over Liberal on Tuesday.
The Warriors (1-0) took a 13-9 lead into halftime before coming out and taking control in the second half after outsourcing the Bulldogs 22-7 in the third quarter to build a 35-16 advantage. Liberal rallied with 17 points the final period, but it wasn’t enough to make a run at the lead.
Kennedy DeRuy led McAuley with 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Kayleigh Teeter added 14 points for the Warriors, while Kloee Williamson added nine in the win. Gliza Damaso scored five.
Ellaina Lanear led Liberal (0-1) with 10 points, while Abby Barton and Gracie Bott each scored seven.
McAuley takes part in the Gem City Classic starting on Nov. 30.
Mount Vernon opens with win over Nevada
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. — Mount Vernon took a 25-18 lead into the half before outscoring Nevada 15-5 in the third quarter on the way to a season-opening 51-30 win on Tuesday.
Lacy Stokes led the Mountaineers (1-0) with 19 points, while Ellie Johnston added 17 points, including one 3-pointer. Cameryn Cassity scored seven, while Kadence Krempges scored four.
Tylin Heathman led Nevada with 13 points, while Abby Harder had seven points.
Mount Vernon travels to Neosho (1-0) on Dec. 7.
