By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
MARSHFIELD, Mo. — Friday’s contest pitted two state-ranked teams against each other.
Marshfield (20-5) — a Final Four team from one year ago — entered as the No. 4 team in Class 4 looking to stay alive in the Ozark Mountain Conference race.
And Logan-Rogersville, the No. 6 team in Class 4, entered 19-4, looking to remain unbeaten in conference play.
It took overtime but, behind the strong play of Quinn Aldridge and Peyton Ward — who combined for 68-percent of the team’s scoring — the Lady Jays left their hardwood with the 60-54 overtime win.
Serving as the aggressor illuminated the scouting report.
“From our last game, at West Plains, they really took it to us. I think that was one of the things that we had to emphasize from our last game to this game, it was going to be physical because Rogersville — that is how they play. We [had] to step up and embrace that physicality,” head coach Trish Marsh said.
The Lady Jays fell to West Plains 64-46 on Feb. 17.
The physicality was not for the faint of heart, as bodies were tossed about in the fight for nearly every loose ball.
“This has been a big rivalry for us,” Aldridge said. “We all wanted to win. We know it is for the conference. We all just came out with fire in our feet.”
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Marshfield improves to 4-1 in conference play while Rogersville drops to 3-1
“Our kids came together,” Marsh said. “Quinn is a seasoned veteran. A returning starter from last year’s team, to know that she is out there, she kind of keeps us composed.”
After the Jays netted just 11 points to the Wildcats’ 14 in the third, it was anyone’s game.
After back-to-back blocks by Aldridge, Kendyl Dolan penetrated from the left wing en route to pay dirt on the left-handed layup, giving the home team the 54-52 lead with 4.2 seconds remaining.
Rogersville’s Millie MacPherson crossed half court and pulled up for the floater, giving the packed house free basketball for another four minutes as she tied it up, 54-54.
While Marshfield could have buckled after letting multiple leads recede, the proverbial ice water in the veins took over for the Jays.
Their mindset never wavered, a true testament for the been-there-done-that club.
Said Aldridge: “Just coming out with intensity, I think. “\We knew it was going to be tough. It had been a tough game the whole time.”
In overtime, Peyton Ward drilled a trey to give the Jays the 57-54 lead prior to fouling out.
Holding tightly to the 58-54 lead, Izzy Cherne sank the pair from the line to close out the night.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GAME
Marshfield is now preparing for its final conference foe of the season, Carl Junction, who visits the Lady Jays on Monday.
Rogersville is on tap to play at Bolivar on Monday before hosting Hillcrest next Friday, which concludes the regular season.
Scoring for Marshfield: Quinn Aldridge – 24; Peyton Ward – 17; Tilly Greenfield – 3; Miley Austin – 3 and Kendyl Dolan – 5 (including a crucial shot with 4.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter); and Izzy Cherne finished with 9 points.
Scoring for Rogersville: Eden Kibby – 2; Hailey Buckman – 19; Addison Cleghorn – 6; Millie MacPherson – 11; Reagan Rasmussen – 16.
