By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Playing in the Logan-Rogersville Lady Wildcat Classic seems to bring out the best in the Strafford Lady Indians.
Stafford hoisted the tournament title for the fifth straight season on Saturday afternoon, defeating Rolla 45-38 in the finals.
New team, new roles, same results.
“We know it’s always a tough tournament, so we just have to come out and play our best,” said Strafford junior guard Emma Mullings, who scored a team-high 16. “And I feel like we did that. It was really good.”
The last time Strafford lost in the Lady Wildcat Classic? In the 2016 semifinal round against Marshfield.
Since then: A state record for consecutive wins (123) and five straight Class 3 state championships.
Unlike past seasons, though, Strafford entered this year’s tournament in somewhat of a slump.
Strafford had lost three straight games – against Carthage (Jan. 5), Miller (Jan. 7) and Walnut Grove (Jan. 11) – before blowing out Stockton (Jan. 14) in its final game before the tournament.
Strafford (14-5 overall) has only one senior on this year’s team. Lady Indians coach Dustin Larsen said his young squad has shown resilience and growth.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
For the second straight season, Strafford returned just one starter to its lineup.
“Two years in a row you lose a lot of starters,” Larsen said. “We’ve had new kids stepping into new roles. This season’s about growth.
“If you’re going to be your best at the beginning, you won’t be your best at the end. Our kids have trusted the process and bought in. They’ve stayed focus and continued to be the best version of them.”
Mullings is one of several Lady Indians who has stepped into a new role this season.
The former reserve has become one of Strafford’s go-to players.
“Last year, I was just kind of the hype person on the team,” Mullings said. “Now, I have to actually score and get everybody else going and make them accountable and stuff.”
Mullings and backcourt mate Emma Compton helped the Lady Indians withstand Rolla’s comeback bid over the final 90 seconds.
Strafford saw its eight-point lead dwindle to just 39-36 with 1:01 left after a turnover led to a Rolla 3-pointer.
But Strafford, which never trailed, sealed the win at the free throw line. The Lady Indians made eight of 10 free throws down the stretch. Mullings went six-for-six.
Compton, who scored 15, joined Mullings on the all-tournament team.
Savannah Campbell, a 6’2” junior forward, led Rolla with 16 points.
The game slowed considerably after Strafford took an early 17-7 lead. Rolla scored fewer than 40 points for only the second time this season (54-35 loss at Jefferson City on Jan. 18).
“With (Rolla’s) size and the way they like to play, I had a feeling it could be (low-scoring),” Larsen said. “Having played them a lot over the summer and knowing how hard both teams compete, we knew it’d be a battle.”
Rolla returns to action Jan. 29 at home against St. James. Strafford hosts Willow Springs this Monday night.
Strafford 45, Rolla 38
Strafford 14 5 10 16 — 45
Rolla 7 7 9 15 — 38
Strafford (14-5 overall) – Mullings 16, Compton 15, Walker 6, Jones 5, Hess 3
Rolla (11-3 overall) – Campbell 16, Mace 10, Pritchett 8, Libhart 4
