By Tyler Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Ozark Lady Tigers (8-2) authored a 23-8 run to commence the White Division quarterfinals of the Pink and White Lady Classic and never trailed as they defeated the Skyline Lady Tigers, 55-45, Friday evening at Drury.
Ozark entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed and looked every bit the part as the Lady Tigers benefitted from the sharpshooting ability of senior Olivia Hanks.
Hanks closed out the opening half with 12 points — all of which came via the long ball — as the Tigers cruised to the 39-24 lead at intermission.
Hanks led Ozark with her 17-point performance.
Hanks said the first quarter, when the senior and her counterparts ran out to a 23-8 lead, proved vital down the stretch.
“We just knew that we had to get off to a good start and get our transition going,” Hanks said. “Just beating their transition defense and getting open looks.”
The second-seeded Tigers attacked the Skyline defense in multiple facets: transition, multiple passes in the paint, and converting from the charity stripe.
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For Hanks — who is in her final Pink and White Tournament as a senior —said her Tigers hang their hats upon their running and gunning style, while showcasing patience in the half court: all of which illuminated in the win.
“Once we start our transition and get going, everything starts flowing,” Hanks said.
Facing elite talent at the annual holiday tournament is also a good way to promote individual and collective development given the likes of Strafford, Republic, West Plains, Ft. Smith, Classen and others.
Added Hanks: “This tournament brings in a lot of good teams, different teams that you don’t normally play, like, in your conference and districts. It is fun to play different people you haven’t seen before.”
Ozark jumped out a commanding 39-24 lead at halftime, but with the tradition of Skyline basketball, the game was anything in the bag.
“They’ve at least won one Pink and White and won state championships and are a proud program,” Ozark head coach David Brewer said of Skyline. “They guard well and do things right. When the bracket came out and I saw we were two and they were seven, it immediately caught my attention. I kind of anticipated that they would be that way.”
In the third, Skyline began chipping away at Ozark, as Grace Edge and Justine Barb found some rhythm and the defense began forcing turnovers — allowing for added opportunities for the offense.
As the clock continued to tick, the physicality ratcheted up, as the physical play paralleled postseason play, with players diving for loose balls and operating with reckless abandon for their bodies.
For Brewer and his Tigers, the physical nature simply sums up the opposition.
“They’re proud and scrappy and they are going to keep fighting no matter what the score is,” Brewer said. “Everything they did, we anticipated.”
Skyline closed out the period on a 12-6 run, and Barb’s strong play down the stretch closed the gap to seven points at the 6:00 mark of the fourth quarter via dribble penetration through the defensive interior.
But in pure Ozark fashion, the Tigers tightened up their belts down the stretch en route to the win.
Escaping with the win is a humbling experience for the Tigers — who continue to evolve under the veteran tutelage of Brewer — who has compiled a 370-236 record in his 25 years.
“I think we are getting [there]. With Ozark, we always get going after Christmas once conference starts,” Hanks said. “I feel pretty good about it. The Central Ozark Conference is always tough, but it is always fun playing against competitive teams like that.”
After Ozark’s win, Republic snapped Strafford’s four-plus-year winning streak, 43-42: setting the table for a Republic-Ozark clash at Saturday’s semifinals.
Skyline head coach Kevin Cheek wasn’t available for comment.
Scoring:
Skyline: 8 16 12 9 (Barb led the team with 17 points).
Ozark: 23 16 6 10: Hanks (17), Mayes (11), Braden (10), Hitt (9), Putt (8).
