By Tyler Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Clever Lady Jays (7-1) knew exactly what they had in front of them at Friday’s Pink Division quarterfinals at the Pink and White Lady Classic at Drury.
It was a matchup with a mentally tough Nixa (third seed) squad, but Clever (tournament sixth seed) matched the Eagles’ intensity and fought off a plethora of turnovers due to Nixa’s press attack en route to the nail-bite 45-43 win.
Up one point, 44-43, with 21 seconds remaining, senior offensive catalyst and court general Allie Clevenger hit one of two from the line.
Nixa had one last chance on an offensive rebound but Gabby Nielsen’s shot rimmed out just prior to the buzzer as the Lady Jays pulled down the biggest defensive rebound of their two days at Drury.
Rebounding on both ends came and went, except when it mattered most.
“Yes, that was nice. We have been sporadic on it lately. If you look at the books, we are like most people when it comes to offensive and defensive rebounding. We just aren’t cleaning up the defensive end enough,” Jones said.
Clever — the 4th-ranked team in Class 3 — fought a variable assortments of press attacks, battled through adversity down the stretch, and produced the defensive stops when needed to advance to the Pink Division semifinals against West Plains at 4 p.m. Saturday.
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Clever owned the opening half, outscoring the Eagles 21-10, before Nixa head coach Jennifer Perryman called for a plethora of rotating press attacks, forcing 14 turnovers throughout the final 16 minutes of play.
For Jones — who is in his sixth season at the helm at Clever — the win serves as a humbling experience.
“Tonight was our worst night from the free-throw line — but I think the pressure had a little bit to do with that,” Jones said. “Because we are so good offensively, it covers a multitude of sins. Once we can get those taken care of, those rebounding efforts have to be better, taking care of the ball — we will be good to go. That fast start was key for us.”
Nixa outscored the Jays 19-13 in the third, as Nielsen began driving through the paint, complementing the long-range shooting of Rhianna Gibbons, as the Eagles cut the gap to 28-23.
But, again, the Jays held steady and didn’t waver.
“I have said it numerous times: this is one of the best offensive teams I have had in years,” Jones said, “and I have had two, three Division I players who didn’t shoot as well as this team does.”
Clevenger, led all scoring with her 25-point performance, including 17 in the second half.
But it was the hot start that culminated with the win — a win that very well will put the rest of Class 3 on notice: the Jays aren’t going anywhere.
“Yeah, it is nice when you get started off like that because it puts the other team on their heels a little bit,” Jones said. “I was hoping it wouldn’t wake them up, but they did wake up in the second half.”
And wake up they did as Clever committed three early turnovers, swinging momentum back to the third-seeded Eagles.
Facing a half-court press is not new territory for Clever.
Added Jones: “We played West Plains really tight. We were up six in the third quarter, and the pressure got us, so I think the girls are ready for that. We start three sophomores, so this is a real valuable experience for them. I think this (Nixa) will benefit us. We will have a good game plan to take care of the pressure.”
At the end of the third quarter, Clevenger connected for four consecutive points, and Ruthie Brown (8 points) converted two from the charity stripe.
When addressing what Clevenger brings to the table, Jones’ eyes teared up — commenting on the family atmosphere the player’s coach instituted upon his arrival.
“We have been together ever since I started this thing,” Jones said, fighting back the emotion. “She is one in a lifetime. She takes the team on her shoulders, is all about family, and making things happen.”
For Clevenger and company, the offensive game plan was one of a rather simplistic nature.
“We wanted to get in and attack the lanes and draw fouls,” Clevenger said, who has yet to decide on her playing future. “If we are getting into the lanes, then the outside shots will fall for us.”
The adversity down the stretch is one of a galvanizing nature, Clevenger said, which comments on the players’ work ethic.
Of course, having Jones at the helm and in the players’ corners is a blessing.
Added Clevenger: “He definitely is a player’s coach. We all are a big family. I feel like that helps with our chemistry; it gets our chemistry flowing.”
As of late, the Lady Jays have been shooting 90 percent from the line, approximately 40 percent from the perimeter as a team, and more than 50 percent from the two, Jones said.
“If we can keep shooting like that, I feel like we can do some damage tomorrow.”
West Plains head coach Scott Womack undoubtedly will press in an effort to complement his 2-3 and 1-3-1 zone attack.
Added Jones: “They match up. They talk. They get into places, so we will have to get creative to get our shooters … we got open shots last time but we just weren’t knocking them down at the end of the game.”
Sitting 7-1 and the No. 4 team in Class 3, the target continues to become a bit more illuminated for Clevenger and her Clever counterparts.
“I feel like we are underdogs. Some people don’t think we should be up there,” Clevenger said. “I feel like, as a team, we have a lot to prove.”
Scoring:
Clever: 12 9 13 11 — Clevenger (25), Simpsom (6), Gladney (6), Brown (8).
Nixa: 8 2 19 14 — Gabby Nielsen led the way with 13 points.
