By Angie Brushwood
Willard, MO – A 10-0 run in the fourth gave the Neosho Lady Wildcats a 61-55 win over the Willard Lady Tigers, in spite of the Lady Tigers sinking nine three-pointers.
Trailing 19-12 after the first, the Lady Tigers regrouped and tied the score 24-all with a 3-pointer by senior Kennedy Burch. A bucket by Makayla Hayes gave the Lady Wildcats a 29-27 lead going into halftime.
Coach Grant Berendt made some changes to the Lady Wildcats’ game plan during halftime.
“At halftime we decided we’d adjust our defense and provide a little bit more backside help against their two post players, Josie Sanders and Joran Stout-Mitchell,” said Berendt. “We knew by doing that we might lose open three’s. They hit nine for the game. But we had to go back to fix what was hurting us initially.”
The Lady Tigers pushed back on defense, forcing the Lady Wildcats to the foul line four times in the third, where they went 4-for-8.
The Lady Tigers scored 12 points in the third, including two treys, and still trailed by two going into the fourth (41-39).
The plan came together for the Lady Wildcats late in the fourth. Willard led 44-43 after a trey by Wade and bucket by Sanders, sandwiching Emilee Anderson’s layup.
Sydney Linny, Allison Burr, and Emilee Anderson went on a 6-0 tear for the Lady Wildcats, interrupted only by a Willard timeout, 49-44. Treys by Nona Adamson and Burch helped the Lady Tigers to a 50-49 lead, but that would be their last look from the top.
“We talked to our kids about amping up the pressure,” said Berendt, “and starting our defense farther away until we get some more opportunities.”
The Lady Wildcats would score their remaining 11 points from the foul line, answered only by five points from the Lady Tigers, including Wade’s final-seconds three-pointer, 61-55.
Coach JJ Adamson said the Lady Tigers do not give up under pressure.
“We never feel like we’re completely out of it,” said Adamson. “However, our decision making tonight was not very good. Credit to Neosho for the pressure they applied to us to force us into multiple turnovers this evening.”
The Lady Tigers celebrated Senior Night, acknowledging Bre Bates, Kennedy Burch, Kelsie Carroll, and Larissa Pyle.
“I could not be prouder of this group of seniors,” said Adamson. “They have been an asset to our program since we took over two years ago. I hope they will continue to be a part of it no matter how old they get, to support and take pride in what they started.”
Willard (11-10) faces Webb City(11-9) on Monday. Neosho (16-7) hosts Ozark (13-6) on Thursday.
Willard 12 – 15 – 12 – 16 — 55
Neosho 19 – 10 – 12 – 20 — 61
Willard: Josie Sanders 18, Kennedy Burch 14, Brooklyn Wade 9, Joran Stout-Mitchell 7, Nona Adamson 3, Bre Bates 2, Hannah Bird 2 — 55
Neosho: Allison Burr 16, Makayla Hayes 15, Sydney Linny 10, Tori Frazier 9, Emilee Anderson 5, Madi Flynn 4, Makenzie Lindsay 2 — 61
