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By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Mountain Grove, Mo. — With a 55-33 victory over Houston, Licking captured its third-straight Class 1 District 10 championship — the fifth in Steven Rissler’s six-year run as head coach.
While there were plenty of smiles after the final buzzer, the Lady Wildcats spent little time celebrating.
Licking has enjoyed a successful run through the past few seasons; however, the team has yet to advance past the sectional round. The most recent trip ended with a heartbreaking 57-44 loss to Southern Boone in 2017, a game Rissler says has served as motivation for this year’s squad.
“We felt like we let one get away in the sectional round,” Rissler said. “So, we wanted another shot this year. Some teams … they win the district and they’re satisfied — We’re not satisfied. That’s why the celebration wasn’t too massive. We’ve got bigger plans.”
Those plans are keyed by a smothering defense intent on forcing a frantic tempo, which the Lady Wildcats were able to do from the opening tip.
“We try to play fast, and we like to shoot a lot of threes and layups,” Rissler said. “We tried to pressure Houston’s guards and get them to turn the ball over, and we were fortunate to get turnovers that led to easy runouts.”
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Thanks to its transition game, Licking stormed out to a 20-10 run in the first quarter and took early control. Sophomore Karlee Holland and senior Dairayn Feringa combined for 15 points in the opening frame.
“I felt like our goal was to play loose and fast,” Rissler said. “Get Karlee rolling, and then everybody else can feed off of her.”
Holland credited her team’s pre-game rituals for the fast start.
“When we get hyped up before the game, that always gets the adrenaline going,” Holland said. “It pushes us to get steals, get open layups and really gets us going.”
Once again, the 5-foot-7 guard proved to be an integral part of Licking’s game plan — forcing turnovers, finding open shooters and driving to the basket.
“There’s a reason [Holland] gets as much attention as she does,” Rissler said. “She can do more than just score. She distributes, she plays defense and, when the game is faster, that’s when she’s at her best.”
With a 31-19 advantage heading into the break, Licking’s defensive effort got even better in the second half.
Houston junior Ally Morgan got her team on the board in the third quarter with a pair of free throws at the six-minute mark; however, the Lady Tigers went scoreless through the rest of the period.
Licking’s 12-2 run in the quarter stretched its lead into a 22-point cushion.
For the Lady Wildcat defense, keeping the ball away from senior Kaitlyn Root was a primary objective throughout the evening.
“We wanted to keep it out of the high post,” Rissler said. “They’ve got a really good senior forward in Kaitlyn Root, and if you can keep the ball out of her hands, you’re going to be successful. We wanted their guards to have to make outside shots.”
Morgan led Houston with 11 points, while Root added 10.
Licking (25-2) now moves on to the sectional round Wednesday, Feb. 28, at Rolla. The Lady Wildcats will take on District 9 champion South Callaway.
Varsity Final: Licking – 55, Houston – 33
Licking 20 11 12 12 — 55
Houston 10 09 02 12 — 33
Licking scoring: Karlee Holland – 20, Lexi Hadix – 13, Dalrayn Feringa – 7, Abby Moncrief – 5, Anna Sullins – 4, McKenzie Cook – 2, Athena Hood – 2, Lainy Hadix – 2
Houston scoring: Ally Morgan – 11, Katilyn Root – 10, Chloe Hunninghake – 6, Carly Crawford – 3, Sevanna Rowland – 2, Jaden Stell – 1
