By Matt Turer — mturer@ky3.com
@MattTurer
Walnut Grove, Mo. — If Thursday night was supposed to be Walnut Grove’s first big Class 1 test of the season, they look like the early favorite for valedictorian. That’s a true statement both metaphorically and literally. The Tigers entered the season ranked No. 1 in Class 1 and, with Thursday’s 58-42 win over previously undefeated and Class 1 No. 6-ranked Wheatland, have dug in deep to that pedestal.
Walnut Grove (6-1) raced out to a 10-0 lead in the game’s first few minutes. That fast start was key in slowing the momentum of a Wheatland team that entered Thursday night undefeated after beginning the season unranked in Class 1.
“[That start] was big,” Walnut Grove coach Rory Henry said. “We talked about wanting to come out fast from the tip. [Wheatland is] a really good team. We knew they’d be a tough matchup for us, but the way we started and the way we finished kind of showed us as a veteran team.”
CLICK HERE FOR WHEATLAND VS. WALNUT GROVE PHOTOS
Bayley Harman’s 30-point night led all scorers, and the junior’s 22 first-half points allowed the Tigers to enter halftime with a 35-25 lead, despite the Mules (8-1) holding Raylie Hejna to just two first-half points.
“Our gameplan defensively worked pretty well,” Wheatland coach Jerimiah Bryan said. “We nearly stopped Hejna from scoring in the first half. Harman is a tremendous player. It’s hard to shut her down. We did our best.”
Harman finished a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line and hit a pair of threes for the Tigers.
“Bayley is [playing at another level for us],” Henry said. “She’s capable of a little more, even. She really had her spots tonight where she played excellent, but she left a little bit out there in some spots.
“We really need her to be a little bit more assertive in the first half when we had a chance to maybe go up a little bigger, but she played her butt off tonight and did a lot on the defensive side for us.”
Wheatland settled down after early deficits of 10-0 and 18-6, getting within four points of the lead in the second quarter and within one point, at 37-36, midway through the third quarter. But every time the Mules closed the gap, Walnut Grove opened it back up.
“That’s the mentality of our kids,” Henry said. “We’ve been in big games. Our schedule prepares us for games like this. We play a tough schedule. We play bigger and more physical schools. And that helps.”
With Hejna bottled up by Wheatland’s inside presence for much of the night, Walnut Grove was able to find offensive balance from Grace McPhail and Kylee Verbeck, who scored nine and seven points, respectively.
“I’m proud of Kylee Verbeck. She hit some big shots for us tonight,” Henry said.
Wheatland lost senior guard Ashley Horton early in the second quarter to a knee injury that occurred during a battle for a loose ball. An emotional Horton had to be helped off the court and struggled to put weight on her left leg in front of the bench in the second half.
“Honestly, I think what really hurt us was losing [Horton] in the second quarter,” Bryan said. “ACL or MCL, I don’t know what [her injury] is. But our younger kids stepped up and overcame that adversity and brought us within a point.”
Horton had five early points before leaving with her knee injury. With Horton out Madi Sutt and Aleah Asare carried the brunt of the offense, finishing with 16 and 11 points apiece.
“I feel like [Walnut Grove] is the best team in Class 1 right now,” Bryan said. “But I feel like we can compete with them for four quarters if we can get [Horton] back. It’s going to take a real fundamental game from us. They’re a great team.
“I do think, with this being Walnut Grove, there’s a little intimidation. The crowd was into it. The atmosphere it tremendous here. Overall, I’m proud of our team and the way we fought.”
Walnut Grove outscored Wheatland 30-14 in the first and fourth quarters.
Wheatland was just 10-17 from the free-throw line. Walnut Grove was a perfect 9-9 on its free throws.
FINAL: Walnut Grove 58, Wheatland 42
Wheatland 8 17 11 6 – 42
Walnut Grove 18 17 11 12 – 58
Wheatland – Madi Sutt 16, Aleah Asare 11, Ashley Horton 5, Gracie Fatino 4, McKinsey Bryan 3, Kaitlin Pickens 3
Walnut Grove – Bayley Harman 30, Grace McPhail 9, Raylie Hejna 8, Kylee Verbeck 7, Taylor Dodson 2, Grace Miller 2
