JOPLIN GIRLS OPEN I44 LADY’S CLASSIC WITH WIN
LEBANON, Mo. — Joplin used a stingy defensive effort early to build a double-digit cushion and held off Troy for a 53-49 win to kick off the Lebanon I44 Lady’s Classic basketball tournament on Thursday.
Joplin (8-8) outscored Troy 17-2 in the first quarter to build an early advantage. The Eagles led by 12 points to start the fourth quarter and the Trojans made a run at the lead by outscoring Joplin 18-10 over the final eight minutes. JHS held on down the stretch.
“We got off to a tremendous start tonight,” Joplin coach Luke Floyd said to SoMo Sports. “Our defense was outstanding and we were able to get out to an early lead. Troy made some great adjustments and really turned up the pressure in the second half. To our girls’ credit, we were able to weather the storm and hang on for the win. I’m extremely proud of the girls for learning from the Webb City and Branson games and finishing the job.”
Brooke Nice and Brynn Driver each had 14 points to lead the Eagles in scoring. Nice had two 3-pointers. Ella Hafer closed with 13 points, while Emma Floyd added eight in the win.
Alyssa Schulte finished with 15 to lead Troy in scoring, while Maggie Illig and Ava Meyers each closed with 11 points in the loss.
Joplin plays the winner of Richland and Lee’s Summit West at 9 p.m. on Friday.
CARTHAGE GIRLS RALLY PAST SENECA
SENECA, Mo. — Carthage trailed Seneca 35-30 to start the second half before the Tigers rallied in the third quarter to take back the lead before pulling away down the stretch for a 69-54 win on Thursday.
Carthage (9-10) outscored Seneca 14-8 to take a one-point advantage into the final eight minutes. The Tigers won the fourth quarter 25-11.
“It was a great second half by our team tonight,” Carthage coach Scott Moore said to SoMo Sports. “We locked down defensively and really put the clamps on their offense. That triggered our transition offense and we took control of the game with a 20-point separation over the final 16 minutes.”
Lauren Choate had five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points in the win for Carthage. Kianna Yates added 15 points and Landry Cochran finished with 10.
“Lauren Choate knocked down several big 3s tonight and forced them to change their defensive game plan,” Moore added. “Kianna Yates made several great decisions in the open court and found her teammates in scoring situations.”
Aliya Grotjohn poured in a game-high 30 points for Seneca. Hazley Grotjohn added 10 points for the Indians.
Carthage hosts Joplin on Tuesday. Seneca (12-5) hosts its annual tournament next week.
GOLDEN CITY BOYS 64, THOMAS JEFFERSON 50
Golden City scored the first 13 points of the night and never looked back en route to a 64-50 win at Thomas Jefferson on Thursday night.
Capitalizing on Thomas Jefferson’s early turnovers, the Eagles led 26-9 at the end of the first quarter and the visitors held a 44-28 halftime lead.
The Cavaliers kept battling and trimmed their deficit to 12 a couple of times in the second half.
“I was proud of the fight our kids showed,” Thomas Jefferson coach Chris Myers told SoMo Sports. “After a slow start like that, it would have been real easy to roll over. Our kids didn’t do that though, they battled hard to keep the game competitive. With several players out again tonight, several guys stepped up and showed a lot of heart. We are going to be a better team down the stretch because of the experience several guys have gained these past couple of weeks.”
Jay Ball scored 20 points and pulled down 21 rebounds. The 6-6 Ball added three blocked shots.
Drew Goodhope contributed 18 points, while Jake Jarrett had six points and four boards. Elias Rincker handed out five assists, while Kaushal Parimi had four points and three steals for the Cavaliers (13-4).
Josh Reeves scored 21 points and hit five treys for Golden City. Reeves reached 1,000 career points in his team’s 64-39 win over Exeter on Tuesday.
Also for the Eagles (13-7), Colby Nelson scored 16 and Elijah Pettengill had 12.
Golden City is at Bronaugh on Tuesday. Thomas Jefferson will compete at next week’s McAuley Warrior Classic.
GOLDEN CITY GIRLS 52, THOMAS JEFFERSON 28
Golden City pulled away after the first quarter. The Cavaliers led 11-10 at the end of the opening period, but the Eagles held a 26-16 lead by intermission.
Golden City’s advantage was 38-19 by the end of the third quarter.
Gabbi Hiebert and Alivia Beard scored nine points apiece for Thomas Jefferson, while Lannah Grigg added eight and Sarah Mueller added two.
Brooke Beerly scored 19 points for Golden City.
The Cavaliers meet College Heights on Monday at McAuley’s Warrior Classic.
MCAULEY CATHOLIC BOYS 52, JASPER 28
McAuley Catholic built a 14-point lead by intermission en route to a 52-28 win over Jasper on Thursday night.
The Warriors improved to 4-14 on the season.
Jeffery Horinek scored 11 points for McAuley, while Jacob Bracich added nine.
Collin Furr scored 12 points for Jasper.
McAuley led 12-8 at the end of the first quarter and the Warriors were up 29-15 at halftime.
Up 41-24 at the end of the third period, McAuley outscored Jasper 11-4 in the fourth quarter for the final margin.
McAuley hosts Exeter for homecoming on Friday night. Warriors coach Tony Witt noted the school will be honoring its 1980-81 team that advanced to the state final four.
MARSHFIELD GIRLS 39, MOUNT VERNON 26
Marshfield led 12-5 right away and later used a 14-7 third period to pull away.
The Mountaineers fell to 8-8.
Cheyenne Bieber and Jolie Prescott scored seven points apiece for Mount Vernon.
Abby McBride led Marshfield with 17 points, while Lauren Leubert had 13.
Mount Vernon hosts Rogersville on Monday.
EAST NEWTON GIRLS 44, CASSVILLE 31
Kylee Cole scored 16 points to lead the Patriots, while Makenna Brasier had 11 and Shaw Coburn added eight.
