THOMAS JEFFERSON GIRLS 50, GALENA (KAN.) 34
GALENA, Kan. — Thomas Jefferson earned an out-of-state win after defeating Galena, Kansas, on Thursday.
The Cavaliers doubled up the Bulldogs 14-7 in the opening period before taking a 32-12 lead into the intermission. Thomas Jefferson held the pace in the second half.
With the win, the Cavaliers improve to 3-1 on the season.
Gabbi Hiebert led the Cavs in scoring with 16 points, while Sarah Mueller finished with 14. Lannah Grigg added 13 points to give Thomas Jefferson three players in double figures. Macie Shifferd had five and Vivian Sharp contributed two.
Thomas Jefferson hosts Everton on Tuesday.
MCAULEY GIRLS 48, EAST NEWTON 47
DIAMOND, Mo. — McAuley Catholic earned its first win of the season in last-second fashion over East Newton in the consolation round of the Gem City Classic on Thursday.
Kloee Williamson earned a steal with less than five seconds on the clock and went the length of the floor before hitting a runner from 10 feet at the buzzer for the win.
“I couldn’t be more proud of her than I am right now,” Coach Mike Howard told SoMo Sports. “She showed some serious guts and perseverance tonight.”
Williamson finished with a game-high 23 points in the win. Brooke Righter had nine points.
East Newton’s Kadie Sesay finished with 17 points to lead her team in scoring. Ulah Sesay had 13.
McAuley continues play in the consolation bracket at 6 p.m. on Friday.
MILLER GIRLS 66, COLLEGE HEIGHTS 43
DIAMOND, Mo. —Miller advanced to the Gem City Classic’s title game with a semifinal victory, while College Heights will head to the tourney’s third-place game.
“It took us about six minutes of the first quarter to adjust to their size, quickness, and physical play,” College Heights coach John Blankenship said. “We got down early, but battled back, outscoring Miller 15-10 in the second quarter. We had a chance to cut the lead to single digits in the third quarter, but a turnover and a missed shot led to two quick scores by Miller. Miller is a very talented team. They execute well, shoot well and are aggressive on defense. We had a bad first quarter and a few stretches in the third quarter where we didn’t play real well, and like all great teams, they took advantage of that stretch. Other than that, we played pretty evenly, and we certainly got better playing against Miller tonight.”
Ava Lett scored 11 points to lead College Heights, while Kinley Marsh added eight points and Jesalin Bever had seven. Also for CHC, Allie Stout scored five, Karly Dorris and Libby Fanning each had three and Maddy Colin, Molly Long and Lily Lackey chipped in two points apiece.
Miller’s Loghann Levian scored 24 points, while Ashlynn Helton added 15 points and Rachel Nunez had 13.
College Heights (1-2) meets Sarcoxie at 2 on Saturday for third place.
Miller takes on Diamond in the title game at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Diamond defeated Sarcoxie 56-42.
NEVADA BOYS 75, NEOSHO 59
NEVADA, Mo. — A barrage from range by Nevada in the opening quarter set the Tigers up with a lead they never relinquished in a season-opening win over Neosho on Thursday.
Nevada (1-0) knocked down five 3-pointers in the first quarter to fuel a 25-13 lead. The Tigers converted from 3-point range three more times in the second period and took a 46-29 advantage into the intermission and were never threatened in the second half.
Jack Cheaney had 20 points, while Brice Budd added 16 to lead Nevada. Uche Mba had 10 to give the Tigers three players in double figures. Riddick Shook finished with eight and Gabe Smith closed with seven.
Kaiden Asberry led Neosho (0-1) with 19 points on a game-high five 3-pointers, while Collier Hendricks and Kanten Smith each had nine. Colton Southern and Quincy Simpson each added seven points.
Nevada hosts Frontenac, Kansas, on Friday.
Neosho takes part in the Battle at the Ridge basketball tournament in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, from Dec. 7-9.
