DIAMOND, Mo. — The McAuley Catholic Warriors finished 1-2 overall and in sixth place in the Gem City Classic after their 58-28 loss to the Carthage JV on Friday night.
Class 1 school McAuley lost to a Class 6 JV team and defeated Class 3 school Diamond after opening against conference and district rival Thomas Jefferson, a team ranked seventh overall in Class 1.
“This one was loaded from top to bottom,” McAuley coach Tony Witt said of the tourney field. “I was disappointed when we got the seventh seed. I thought we were better than what they gave us credit for … it’s tough when you have a JV team that talented playing for fifth, but I thought our guys played hard. They didn’t give up, that’s a character trait they have.
“This is going to help us in January and February. Coming out of here with only one win, obviously that stinks, but the experience is going to help us down the road.”
McAuley senior Jack Jones scored a team-high 13 points, while Michael Parrigon had five. Noah Black and Joe Staton scored three points apiece, while Kable Reichardt and Rocco Bazzano-Joseph each scored two.
Colt Pugh led the all-sophomore Carthage JV squad with a game-high 14 points and Taylor Stevens-Diggs scored all nine of his points in the first half.
McAuley, 1-3 overall, returns to action Tuesday on the road against Pierce City.
“I liked the way that we battled,” Witt said. “I felt like we got a little tougher as the tournament went on. Obviously getting a tough draw with TJ in the first round, a conference and district opponent ranked in the state. We were obviously jacked up for that and had a good showing (45-40 loss). We kind of faltered late. They’re an experienced team and have been in the (state) quarterfinals the last two years. That’s good for us to have that late-game situation this early in the season and trying to learn from them.
“On Wednesday, we beat a Class 3 school. I thought we played our hearts out all game. In this one, we were right there. We had runs in the first half and even early in the third quarter. We just turned the ball over a little too much and a team like that is going to capitalize on you. Those kids are going to be pretty successful when they get into varsity. That’s a good experience for us looking forward because we’re not going to see Carthage’s JV in our district and our conference.”
Lockwood girls 37, McAuley Catholic 28
The McAuley girls had only six players available Friday in the Gem City Classic seventh-place game at Diamond Middle School, with junior guard Kloee Williamson out of the lineup.
All three McAuley freshmen — Brooke Righter, Vanessa Diaz, and Keira Mays — reached the scoring column Friday against Lockwood.
McAuley led 4-0 early on, but Lockwood managed to outscore McAuley a combined 23-10 in the second and fourth quarters.
“It’s very challenging,” McAuley coach Mike Howard said. “We learned this morning that one of our better guards was not going to be with us because she was sick. So, losing her really hurt in a game like this. We could have used the extra body and the extra guard.
“I’m going to give credit to my younger kids. They’re doing things that are beyond their years. They’re getting some good minutes out there. We’re a work in progress, obviously, but they’re giving it their all every single time they’re out there on the floor. That’s all you can ask for.”
Righter led McAuley with nine points on Friday.
“I thought our freshman Brooke Righter really grew tonight,” Howard said. “She handled the ball for the most part all night long and she had some good drives to the basket. She played some good defense, drew some fouls and made some free throws down the stretch. She led us in points tonight. That’s her career high. Super proud of her for stepping up tonight and meeting that challenge as a freshman point guard.”
Lily Black added seven points, while Diaz and Avery Gardner scored five each and Mays had two.
“I thought Avery Gardner played well tonight,” Howard said. “She’s another person who had to handle the ball more than she had in the past.”
Gatlyn Clawson scored a game-high 12 points for Lockwood.
McAuley, 0-4 overall, returns to the court Tuesday on the road against Pierce City.
“We’re young and we’re thin, but we’re giving it everything that we have,” Howard said. “We’re continuing to grow every single time we’re out there on the court. That’s all I can ask for.”
