By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
WILLARD, MO – The last time Trish Marsh led Marshfield to a district championship – known then as Trish Van Diggelen – the undefeated Blue Jays rolled all the way to a state title.
On a Tuesday evening, 37 years later, the first-year head coach found herself in a familiar spot, as No. 4 Marshfield defeated West Plains 64-58 in the Class 5 District 6 championship.
Peyton Ward poured in a game-high 23 points to lead the Blue Jays.
“It was just nice to see all the hard work pay off, and just to be able to enjoy the moment and watch our kids celebrate that win,” Marsh said. “It was just as fun, as a coach, to see when your kids are having success.”
The Marshfield native has been a coach around the Ozarks for more than two decades, spending time with Glendale, Drury and Missouri State.
During Monday night’s game, Marsh received a welcome surprise, as several friends and teammates from her playing days showed up to support the Blue Jays.
“We had some alums that I played with when I was at Marshfield back in the ‘80s,” Marsh said. “I have a couple alums here, and it was great. My best friend, Stacy, was here, and she surprised me. I didn’t know she was coming, so it was awesome to see them celebrate and just make them a part of it.”
The two teams split a pair of regular season matchups.
Marshfield won a 51-50 thriller at the Pink & White Tournament, and then West Plains returned the favor in mid-February with a 64-46 final.
From the opening tip, Monday’s rubber match did not disappoint, with nine lead changes through the first three periods.
Ward was active early, scoring five points in the first quarter and the game’s first basket, a wing 3-pointer.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
The 6-foot-2 guard talked about dealing with the intense pressure leading up to the huge matchup.
“I just feel like every day in practice, we’ve been working on this, like, pressure,” Ward said. “So, I feel like we were really ready for it, and we were confident. We were just ready to pull out the win.”
Izzy Cherne (14), Quinn Aldridge (13) and Tilly Greenfield (10) also finished in double figures for Marshfield.
Marsh was quick to credit Ward and Aldridge for setting the tone early and providing a calming influence throughout the game.
“I think our two returners who have postseason play, Peyton and Quinn, really stepped up and provided that leadership on the floor and just gave the others confidence to play with them,” Marsh said.
After West Plains jumped out to a 13-9 lead in the first quarter, Marshfield rallied in the second to take a 26-25 lead into the break.
Nursing a slim, 31-29 lead midway through the third quarter, the Blue Jays were finally able to create some space via a series of key West Plains turnovers.
“I think we mixed it up on them, and I think that was really crucial for them not to know exactly what we were going to do each possession,” Marsh said. “We would throw a different defense at them.”
Following a Zizzer turnover, Cherne’s layup at the 3:19 mark pushed the Marshfield lead to four at 33-29.
A steal on the very next possession resulted in a Ward putback, which stretched the margin to six points at 35-29.
With 1:49 remaining, a third turnover resulted in a Ward jumper to put the Blue Jays up by nine at 40-31.
“Later in the quarter, we just tried to throw them different options, so they don’t really know what’s coming up next,” Ward said. “We just try to talk and try to get steals and create chaos.”
Mission accomplished.
With its deficit expanding, West Plains was forced to foul early in the final period.
Marshfield responded with a 16-22 free throw performance over the final eight minutes of play, pushing its lead to as many as 11 points in the quarter.
“I would take that seven days a week,” Marsh said. “We shoot free throws every day. Just the value and importance of it – they win ball games.”
Marsh also noted the team’s defensive plan to limit playmaking opportunities for West Plains’ Ainsley McWilliams.
The freshman standout finished the game with 7 points and only one 3-pointer.
“If you watched her in the semi against Hillcrest, she had 23 points and was shooting very well,” Marsh said. “She’s a super-talented freshman. But that was the first and foremost thing – not to let people get hot from the three, because that’s what happened to us at West Plains. I believe they hit 15 threes on us, and that was a focus to make them more dribble-drivers and just to get down and guard.”
Shaylee Peterson led the Zizzers with 15 points. She was joined in double figures by Lucy Hafer (12) and Gillian Green (10).
West Plains ends its season with a 19-9 record and will graduate a lone senior this May in Ashley Culton.
Up next for Marshfield (24-5) is a March 15 sectional round matchup at Helias Catholic (18-11).
Class 5 District 6 Championship: West Plains – 64, Marshfield – 58
West Plains 13 12 12 21 – 58
Marshfield 09 17 16 22 – 64
West Plains scoring: Shaylee Peterson – 15, Gillian Green – 12, Lucy Hafer – 12, Ainsley McWilliams – 7, Zoe Shrubb – 7, Ashley Culton – 5
Marshfield scoring: Peyton Ward – 23, Izzy Cherne – 14, Quinn Aldridge – 13, Tilly Greenfield – 10, Paris Peacock – 3, Kendyl Dolan – 1
