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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Blue Eye’s third straight appearance in the Class 2 girls’ Show-Me Showdown resulted in a familiar postgame feeling.
Bittersweet.
Making it this far three times is an all-time accomplishment, but the Lady Bulldogs were denied again on their ultimate quest for a state championship.
“It’s special, but it also stinks because we’ve been so close every single time and we just can’t get far enough,” said Blue Eye senior guard Avery Arnold.
Said senior Kyla Warren: “We’re so close.”
Blue Eye’s hot perimeter shooting that carried it through this year’s postseason run fizzled out on Friday afternoon, as the Lady Bulldogs lost 66-47 to top-ranked Napoleon-Wellington in the Class 2 semifinals at JQH Arena.
“(Wellington-Napoleon) were physical, quick and got into our passing lanes. They got down and guarded the ball really well,” said Blue Eye coach Ken Elfrink.
After combining for 32 3-pointers in its last three postseason games, Blue Eye shot 5-for-24 on Friday against Wellington-Napoleon.
“We pride ourselves on our defense,” said Wellington-Napoleon coach Andy Hampton. “It’s something we work on and preach every day. We said before the game, ‘We have to come out and not give Blue Eye anything easy.’ They’re such a great 3-point shooting team.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Blue Eye struggled to find open shots anywhere on the floor against Wellington Napoleon’s aggressive, man-to-man defense. The Lady Bulldogs finished 14-for-50 from the field overall.
Elfrink compared Wellington-Napoleon’s defense to the likes of local teams Strafford, Nixa and Miller, along with undefeated Bergman (Ark.).
“We got a little rushed and started forcing some things, which can happen,” Elfrink said. “You’re all pumped up because you’re playing in the state final four and all of a sudden someone pops your balloon, you think, ‘Oh, I have to get it back.’”
Avery Arnold scored 15 and Warren added 14 points to lead Blue Eye (26-6 overall).
Bree Shannon led three Wellington-Napoleon players in double figures with 19 points. The Lady Tigers shot 10-for-23 from 3-point range as a team.
Blue Eye trailed 26-15 at halftime and by double digits the entire second half, although it wasn’t for lack of effort.
Blue Eye threatened to cut the deficit to single digits on multiple occasions in the third and fourth quarters. Each time, seemingly, Wellington-Napoleon countered with a back-breaking score.
The Lady Tigers also shot 22-for-31 at the free throw line overall.
“That’s the thing about this group: We’re never out of games,” Elfrink said. “They’ll compete and play at a high level for four quarters. They’re tough kids.”
In a rematch of last year’s Class 2 title game, Wellington-Napoleon will play defending champion Ellington at 2 p.m. Saturday at JQH Arena.
Blue Eye faces St. Paul Lutheran (Concordia) at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hammons Student Center in the Class 2 3rd place game.
“The good thing about tomorrow is that you have a chance to go out with a win, in your last game ever as a high school player,” Elfrink said. “That’ll be our focus. We’ll bounce back. These kids will be ready to go.”
Saturday marks the final game together for Blue Eye’s all-senior starting lineup.
“It’s fun to do it with our group. We’re together so much and do so much,” said Blue Eye senior forward Makayla Johnson. “It’s made it really fun.”
Wellington-Napoleon 66, Blue Eye 47
Blue Eye 7 8 13 19 — 47
Wellington-Napoleon 14 12 13 27 — 66
Blue Eye (26-6 overall) – Avery Arnold 15, Kyla Warren 14, Gracyn Fairchild 8, Makayla Johnson 5, Riley Arnold 3, Samantha George 2
Wellington-Napoleon (27-2 overall) – Bree Shannon 19, Ayden Shannon 18, Alison Dehn 14, Kelsi Best 7, Kaylin Ellensohn 4, Melanie Thornburg 2, Brilynn Zykan 2
