By Greg Morse (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Greenfield girls were dominant on their way to a 60-26 win over Liberal, which gave the school its first Golden City Tournament championship.
“Being able to be the first Greenfield team to win this tournament, it feels really good,” said sophomore Morgan Wright.
Greenfield got off to a hot start, setting the tone early by going on an 11-2 run, and finishing the first quarter 20-4. Wright was a big reason for that success, scoring nine points in the first quarter, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer. She would finish the night leading her team with 19 points altogether. She was also named to the All-Tournament team.
“It feels great. To come back from having a losing record last year to a winning record this year feels pretty good,” said Wright, “It’s my first all-tournament team. I’m speechless.”
Liberal tried to play catch-up in the second quarter behind the play of junior Taylor Ray who scored seven points. The Wildcats maintained their lead however, entering half time with a 38-11 lead.
Entering the second half, Wright wasn’t the only one making plays for Greenfield. Seniors Lauren Jones and Kiarra Mai also had themselves a game by scoring 16 points and 12 points respectively. Jones scored her first nine off of three consecutive shots from three-point range. She would finish the game with four 3-pointers.
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“The kids just executed. We talked at the beginning of the season and wanted to change the culture and to take every small opportunity to do that. They’re just buying in and it shows,” Greenfield head coach Loganne Hickman said.
The Bulldogs tried to mount a comeback but were unsuccessful. Despite a furious attempt to overcome the deficit, Greenfield’s defense was just too much to overcome. Greenfield defeated Liberal 60-26.
To say the Wildcats’ offense was the star of this game would only be telling half the story. Forcing a bevy of turnovers throughout the game kept Liberal in check, and ultimately prevented the Bulldogs from getting back in the game in the second half even as Greenfield slowed down offensively.
“[Winning this tournament for the first time] feels amazing. I’ve had this group for the past three years and each year we’ve improved, but we’re coming off two losing seasons and just having some success makes me so happy for the kids.”
Junior Aubrey Davis also had 9 points for Greenfield, while juniors Adriauna Wallen and Hattie Taylor has two points apiece. On Liberal, Juniors Skylie Neal and Olivia Willis scored 6 points and 4 points, respectively and Senior Jessica Roby also scored 4 points.
