Hartville used a big third quarter to pull away from Bakersfield for a 37-28 district semifinal win.
The Eagles led 11-10 after one quarter and kept that margin the same at the half with a 19-18 lead. Out of the half, Hartville took a 12-5 advantage in the third quarter to expand its lead to 31-23 into the fourth quarter where the Eagles pushed the final score out to 37-28.
Jayla Ferguson, Molly Brown and Jenna Kelley combined to score 36 of Hartville’s 37 points and accounted for all of the team’s points through the first three quarters. Ferguson led all scorers with 19 points. Brown added in 11 while Kelley scored six.
Jessie Keith led Bakersfield with 14 points.
No. 2 seed Hartville advances to face No. 1 seed Norwood in the Class 2 District 10 championship game at 6 pm on Saturday in Cabool. Norwood beat Hartville twice in the regular season. The Pirates won by a 52-42 margin in the Sparta Tournament. They also beat Hartville 45-37 in the regular season matchup on Feb. 8
Bakersfield – 10-8-5-5 — 28
Hartville – 11-8-12-6 — 37
B: Jessie Keith 14, Callic Smith 6, Shaleigh Bridges 3, Sara Collins 2, Keely Stevens 2, Gretchen Zastrow 1
H: Jayla Ferguson 19, Molly Brown 11, Jenna Kelley 6, Breyanna Flachsman 1
