By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Springfield, Mo. — Hartville wasn’t about to let history repeat itself in the Class 2 third-place matchup with Clopton.
The Lady Eagles (28-5) delivered a critical 8-0 burst in the fourth quarter en route to a 60-55 victory.
“That was kind of an up-and-down ball game — like a roller coaster,” Hartville head coach Mike Percival said. “We seem to like those.”
After falling into a double-digit hole against Mid-Buchanan in its semifinal loss, Hartville found itself in a similar situation during Saturday’s Class 2 third-place matchup against Clopton.
Locked in a tight battle, the Lady Eagles ended up on the wrong end of an 11-0 run to start the second half.
Then, just as it did the night before, Hartville rallied and closed the deficit to 44-42 at the end of the third quarter.
“We had a chance right there to kind of bow down and say, ‘Well, this the third place game, and we’ll just go home — and they didn’t,” Percival said. “As always, they always do a little bit extra do the things that we asked them to do.”
Three minutes into the final period, Hartville’s finishing blitz began with a Skylar Divine 3-pointer to tie the game at 47-47.
The senior guard was determined to do whatever was needed to spark her team.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
“I just knew I had to hit it, or it was going to be a turning point,” Divine said. “So, I’m gonna hit it.”
After Divine’s big shot, it was Grace Culver’s turn to take over the contest.
The 5-foot-7 junior responded with five-straight points to help Hartville recapture the lead for good.
Unfortunately for the Lady Eagles, Culver also fouled out diving for a loose ball with just over a minute to play.
On the bench, the standout forward quickly turned from bulldozer to cheerleader.
“Oh my gosh,” Culver said. “I haven’t fouled out all year, so that was a new experience, but I knew they could do it. I have faith in them.”
Culver’s faith turned out to be well-placed.
Down 52-48, Clopton turned to fouls in an attempt to spark its own rally, but Harville’s Sadie Chisum had other ideas.
The senior guard calmly hit 6-of-7 free throws in to seal the Lady Eagles’ victory and close out her storied career — a career that included 94 wins in four years.
“I’m going to say that was probably the best way I could have ended it,” Chisum said. “It was awesome. We kind of had our ups and downs, but I think this game was a good battle, and we all really came together at the end. I think that’s how we wanted to end it.”
Chisum and Culver each scored 17 points to Hartville, and Divine added 13 to join her teammates in double figures.
After the game, Divine reflected on her career, as well.
“It’s just been a bonding experience,” Divine said. “We’ve just become so much closer through it, and I think that’s going to carry on next year and in the years upcoming.”
Percival echoed the senior’s thoughts and believed the final four experience would have a lasting effect on his program’s future success.
“I think that just builds excitement with the younger kids,” Percival said. “To watch that pep assembly the other day and watch those little elementary kids go crazy, you know it can to nothing but build up your program and make kids excited and want to be a part of Lady Eagle basketball.”
While Hartville loses both Chisum and Divine to graduation, Percival believes the team has plenty of firepower and leadership set to return and write an all-new story.
“We’re really going to miss [Chisum and Divine], but we’ve got a good mix coming back,” Percival said. “I think we discussed with one just yesterday about how they’re one game away from taking on a lot more responsibility, so the younger kids know what’s coming.”
Class 2 third-place final: Hartville – 60, Clopton – 55
Hartville 14 18 10 18 — 60
Clopton 12 14 18 11 — 55
Clopton scoring: Kaitlyn Kuntz – 15, Jillian Lockard – 14, Calynn Lockard – 9, Caragan Lockard – 6, Taylor Akers – 6, Megan Harrelson – 5
Hartville scoring: Sadie Chisum – 17, Grace Culver – 17, Skylar Divine – 13, Mckinley Sanders – 8, Jadalyn Keith – 5
