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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Amid a 10-0 start, the Willard Lady Tigers have beaten some of the area’s most prestigious programs.
Among them: Strafford, Walnut Grove and, Wednesday night, previously undefeated Skyline.
It’s a new experience for a Willard program that’s ascending from good to one of the area’s best.
“We talk about confidence vs. cockiness all the time,” said Willard coach JJ Adamson. “We want them to be confident, but we don’t want them to overstep that boundary. You can see, tonight, this is kind of our first foray into being real successful.
“We just have to make sure our kids are staying on course and getting better each practice. That’s why last night (an overtime win over Central) and tonight was so special – there was improvement and that’s pretty awesome.”
Willard came up with big plays down the stretch to edge Skyline 55-52 in Wednesday night’s Pink Division semifinals at Parkview High School.
Trailing 52-51, Willard junior guard Brielle Adamson made the go-ahead layup with 18 seconds remaining while being fouled.
She missed the free throw, but Willard drew a charge on Skyline’s ensuing possession to preserve its one-point lead with seven seconds left.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Brielle Adamson extended Willard’s lead to 55-52 with a pair of free throws, and Skyline would miss a 3-pointer as time expired.
Coming in, both sides expected a tight, back-and-forth game.
“I talked with Skyline’s (assistant) coach at the Blue and Gold Tournament earlier today and we said, ‘This could be an absolute barn burner,” JJ Adamson said. “And it was. Both teams left it all out there. It’s unfortunate someone had to lose.”
Said Skyline coach Kevin Cheek: “Our biggest thing was that whatever happens, we don’t have time to dwell on it. Because if something happens on the offensive end – we miss an easy one or whatever, (Willard) is going back fast the other way. They have a lot of weapons.”
Willard plays Kickapoo in the Pink Division championship game of the Pink and White Lady Classic at 10 a.m. Thursday at Parkview High School. Willard won its only Pink and White title in 1977.
Willard’s hot start has been extra sweet for its head coach. Two of his daughters, Brielle and Addy, play on the current varsity team. Older sister Nona also played at Willard and graduated in 2019.
Brielle scored a game-high 21 on Wednesday night.
“For them, it’s probably heartbreaking,” JJ Adamson said. “For me, it’s an absolute blessing. It’s 2.5-3 hours a day that I get to spend with them that I otherwise would not if I didn’t coach them. It’s a blast.”
Brielle said there were high expectations for the 2020-21 Willard Lady Tigers.
“My dad – my coach – has been saying that this group was going to be like this,” Brielle Adamson said. “And we’ve just made it happen.”
Willard outscored Skyline 14-5 in the third quarter after trailing by five at halftime.
Senior guard Alyee Gunter led Skyline (9-1 overall) with 19 points.
Cheek said he’s encouraged by what he’s seen from his team thus far. The Lady Tigers don’t have a full-time varsity player taller than 5’9”.
“I’d say we’re probably ahead of schedule,” Cheek said. “Our guard play has been very good. Justine (Barb) and Grace (Edge) get a lot done down low for their size. The big stuff for us is players like Emma Crawford, who has stepped and shot the ball well.
“I don’t know where our ceiling is. I think the encouraging part is, for this group, they truly want each other to do well.”
Skyline plays Mt. Vernon in the third place game at 10 a.m. Thursday at Kickapoo High School.
Willard 55, Skyline 52
Skyline 19 16 5 12 — 52
Willard 20 10 14 11 — 55
Skyline – Alyee Gunter 19, Miranda Quennoz 11, Emma Crawford 11, Justine Barb 6, Grace Edge 4, Emily Edwards 1
Willard – Brielle Adamson 21, Carolina Crawford 11, Jada Holloman 8, Ariana Patillo 7, Addy Adamson 5, Vanessa Wells 2, Kailyn Washington 1
