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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
When it comes to girls’ basketball at Walnut Grove, all Faith Gilkey knows is district championships.
She can’t recall seeing Walnut Grove not win one.
Not surprising, since 11 years is a long time.
“I remember, every year, just watching them in the postseason and we were always cheering for the older girls,” said Gilkey, a senior point guard. “Then, we were so excited when we got to do it.
“It’s a tradition so many people have set before us and we just have to follow it.”
Walnut Grove won its 11th straight district championship on Thursday night, pummeling Golden City 68-14 at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar.
Walnut Grove coach Rory Henry said it’s an achievement his players should appreciate. For now.
“After the game, the last thing I told them in the locker room was, ‘Soak this in,’” he said. “Sometimes, this can get numb because we expect it. But what we’ve done as a program is pretty amazing. Make sure you get excited about this type of thing. It’s never guaranteed.
“Be excited, but don’t be satisfied.”
This district championship looked a lot like the previous ones: Won with defense.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Walnut Grove scored 23 unanswered points to start the Class 1 District 6 title game.
The Lady Tigers led 36-3 at halftime. Gilkey scored a game-high 38, several of which came on uncontested layups following Golden City turnovers.
Walnut Grove smothered Golden City with its full-court press defense.
“Our main focus was to get after it defensively with our press and get steal after steal after steal,” Gilkey said.
Walnut Grove, which had a sluggish start to the season after a COVID outbreak within the team, limited Golden City to just six points through the first three quarters.
“We pride ourselves on defense,” Henry said. “We haven’t had our legs this year as much as I’d like, but I feel like we’re coming into it at the right time of the year. I think we’re getting right.”
The final score marked the fewest points that Walnut Grove has allowed in a game this season.
The Lady Tigers did it without a key player in their lineup: senior forward Lauren Johnson. She sat out the district tournament, including Thursday’s game, after suffering a high ankle sprain late last week.
Henry is optimistic she’ll return soon for the state tournament.
Makayla McVay added 12 points for Walnut Grove.
The Lady Tigers, who are the two-time defending state champions in Class 1, face the winner of Tuscumbia-Climax Springs on March 3 in the Class 1 sectional round.
“Every year, we’ve come into this game expecting to win (districts),” Gilkey said. “This is another step to get us through toward where we want to be. We’re not celebrating too hard. We still have our minds set on the bigger picture.”
Golden City finishes 16-9 overall. It’s the second straight season that the Lady Eagles have won 15 or more games.
Walnut Grove 68, Golden City 14
Walnut Grove 17 19 21 11— 68
Golden City 0 3 3 8 — 14
Walnut Grove (21-4 overall) – Faith Gilkey 38, Makayla McVay 12, Hailey Morgan 8, Jaedyn Johnson 4, Kylie Craig 4, Sadye Crump 2
Golden City (16-9 overall) – Brooke Beerly 8, Kyndall Scott 4, Ahree Lutes 2
