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By Tyler Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
SPRINGFIELD — The Walnut Grove Lady Tigers basketball program (28-5) knows exactly how to combat the bullseye that resides on their backs.
After all, playing basketball in mid-March is nothing new for the Lady Tigers.
The South Nodaway Lady Longhorns were the latest to fall victim to the back-to-back state champions, as the Tigers tamed the ‘Horns, 52-41, at the Class 1 girls basketball state championship game Friday at JQH Arena.
While one state title equates to bragging rights, two is icing on the cake as junior forward and versatile scoring option, Makayla McVay, has played for only two months this season, after an ACL injury sidelined her during the fall softball campaign.
“At the beginning of the season, we were just hoping that I would be back for districts. That really made me nervous, because you really have to get into your groove,” said McVay.
McVay (20 points) set the tone from the onset, drilling two 3-pointers and finishing with eight points in as many minutes, and the stifling interior defense proved to be the perfect elixir: a recipe for success for head coach Rory Henry and company.
“We have had some ups and downs this year. We had to battle some stuff,” said Henry. “We didn’t play our best game today, but we played well enough to come [away with the] win. Just really excited about what we have been able to create at Walnut Grove. It is pretty special.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
The Lady Tigers stormed to the 19-4 lead at the end of the opening quarter, when balance was key as McVay set the tone with her eight points.
For the Tigers, the expectation never wavers, which is to be expected, since playing in mid-March has become old hat for the Tigers.
“They expected it,” said Henry. “We knew what we wanted to accomplish. We know what we have to when we come up here. We know what everything is going to be like. They know what to do.”
While the score was one of a lopsided affair in the second quarter, the Longhorns made it a game, cutting the deficit to 23-13, due primarily to the 9-4 run.
The lead was a bit close for comfort, so the Lady Tigers did what they do best: showcasing athleticism in and out of the lane.
An injury stoppage at the 4:47 mark of the third quarter halted the game for nearly 10 minutes as Longhorns’ Stephanie Turpin was tended to before being led out of the arena on a stretcher.
Simply put, expect the unexpected when it comes to high-school basketball.
As with tradition, the unscripted stoppage never fazed the two-time champions.
Camaraderie is key for the Tigers.
Said Faith Gilkey: “It is so special. We all have been playing together for as long as I can remember. We dreamt of doing it, and now we have doing it twice.”
Henry said while the Longhorns aren’t typically a team you see at the state tournament, he knows what to expect.
Said Henry: “I am familiar with them. We played them back in 2012, and they are very similar. They are gritty, tough-minded. They are very well-coached and very physical. We couldn’t shake them. We were up 19-4 in the first quarter. For a minute, I thought we were going to blow this open, but I know what type of team they have. We knew it was going to be a battle.”
Scoring:
Walnut Grove: 19 4 15 14 — McVay led all scoring with 20 points; Gilkey (19); L. Johnson (10); J. Johnson (3).
South Nodaway: 4 9 12 16 — LaMaster (13); Collins (11); Pappert (5); Mattson (4); Turpin (2; exited with injury); Langford (2); Davis (2); Deen (2).
