COLLEGE HEIGHTS, MCAULEY GIRLS EARN TOURNEY WINS
CHEROKEE, Kan. — Girls basketball teams from Joplin fared well on the opening night of the Southeast Lancer Classic.
Second-seeded College Heights Christian cruised past seventh-seeded Southeast 59-24, while third-seeded McAuley Catholic overcame an early double-digit deficit to earn a 53-43 come-from-behind win over sixth-seeded Riverton.
The crosstown rivals will now meet in the tourney semifinals at 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday. The first semifinal will feature top-seeded Erie against fourth-seeded Baxter Springs at 5:50.
College Heights (11-2) doubled up tourney host Southeast in the first half, as the Cougars led 30-15 at halftime.
College Heights then erupted for 18 points in the third quarter to take a comfortable 48-23 lead into the fourth period.
Grace Bishop scored 21 points to lead the Cougars, while Lainey Lett added 13 points and Catie Secker had 10.
McAuley’s girls trailed 15-0 early and 17-6 at the end of the first quarter. But the Warriors fought back and outscored the Rams 15-4 in the second period, and the game was deadlocked at 21 at the break.
McAuley used an 18-7 third quarter to take a 39-28 lead into the fourth period. The final frame was nearly even, and the Warriors never relinquished their lead.
“We battled back and didn’t quit,” Warriors coach Mike Howard said. “I saw a lot of heart in these girls tonight.”
Kayleigh Teeter led McAuley with 22 points, while Abbey Cahalan added 15. Kennedy DeRuy also reached double figures with 11 points.
Jacy Thomasson scored 14 points for Riverton, while EJ Wells had 10.
The boys tourney starts on Tuesday.
Fourth-seeded College Heights Christian meets fifth-seeded McAuley Catholic at 7:40 p.m.
TJ GIRLS FALL IN TOURNEY OPENER
LIBERAL, Mo. — The top-seeded and undefeated St. Mary’s Colgan girls basketball team took control early and rolled to a 68-15 victory over eighth-seeded Thomas Jefferson on Monday night in a first-round girls contest of the Tony Dubray Classic at Liberal High School.
Colgan (7-0) held a 25-5 lead early in the second quarter en route to the lopsided win.
The Panthers were up 36-9 at intermission and their advantage was 58-11 entering the fourth quarter.
Colgan’s Lauren Torrance scored 24 points and Kaitlin Crossland added 14 points for the Panthers.
Sydney Stamps led the Cavaliers (1-9) with seven points.
The Cavaliers return to action at 5:15 on Wednesday against Northeast.
MOUNT VERNON 69, BRANSON 31
BOLIVAR, Mo. — Lacy Stokes scored 32 points and Ellie Johnston added 25, as the dynamic senior backcourt duo led Mount Vernon to a 69-31 victory over Branson at the Gary Keeling Lady Liberator Tournament.
Johnston made six 3-pointers, while Stokes hit four treys.
The Mountaineers were up 43-18 at halftime en route to the non-conference victory.
