Top-seeded Thayer rolled into the Class 3 District 10 semifinals while No. 3 seed Licking upset No. 2 Liberty 33-32.
Thayer opened up with a 25-16 lead on Willow Springs after one quarter before Willow Springs fought back with a 14-8 advantage in the second quarter to cut Thayer’s lead to 33-30 heading into the break.
Out of the half, it was all Thayer holding Willow Springs to just 15 total points in the second half while scoring 32. The Bobcats used a balanced attack on offense with four players in double figures including Ryleigh Davis (22), Ally Kerley (16), Riley Pierce (12) and Kadyn Hilles (10).
Chloe Jones scored 22 to lead Willow Springs.
Baskets were at a premium in the second semifinal of the night. Liberty carried a 17-12 lead into the half and a 22-18 lead into the final quarter. Licking’s offense came alive in the final frame. After scoring six points in each of the first three quarters, the Wildcats scored 15 in the final eight minutes while holding Liberty to 10 to claim a 33-32 win.
The two teams will face off in the Class 3 District 10 championship game at 6 pm on Saturday in Cabool. Thayer is looking for its first district title since 2020 while Licking’s last district title was in 2022.
Find box scores for the games below.
Thayer 65, Willow Springs 45 – FINAL
Willow Springs – 16-14-7-8 — 45
Thayer – 25-8-15-17 — 65
W: Chloe Jones 22, Alexis Sigman 8, Emma Grogan 6, Sophia Jackson 4, Paisley Crudgington 3, McKensie Collins 2
T: Ryleigh Davis 22, Ally Kerley 16, Riley Pierce 12, Kadyn Hilles 10, Abby Bowers 5
Licking 33, Liberty 32 – FINAL
Liberty – 7-10-5-10 — 32
Licking – 6-6-6-15 — 33
LIB: Ella Phipps 9, Hadley Chowning 9, Kori Lind 6, Delani Ellett 4, Shelby Holdt 2, Ashlyn Henry 2
LIC: Allie Hock 10, Hadlee Davis 7, Zoey Dawson 7, Kinley Keaton 7, Linzie Wallace 2
