Girls Basketball: Bismarck moves into trophy game; Central, Farmington win at home
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Bismarck forward Alyssa Brake (4) holds the basketball along the perimeter during the third quarter of an MAAA Tournament girls quarterfinal game against Central on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Park Hills. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)
LESTERVILLE, Mo. — Timely rebounds and frequent free throws helped the Bismarck girls basketball team survive some sketchy moments in the second half on Wednesday night.
The top-seeded Lady Indians capitalized as foul trouble mounted against Chaffee, and prevailed 46-37 in Class 2, District 3 semifinal round.
Sophomore forward Ashley Hawkins totaled 18 points, and provided the bookend fast-break layups during a closing 11-1 run after her club briefly trailed.
Bismarck (19-6) converted 17-of-27 free throws, and advanced to face tournament host Lesterville for the championship on Friday at 6 p.m.
Halie Dickey and Morgan Randazzo added nine points each, and Alyssa Brake had seven in the victory. The Lady Indians moved ahead 24-16 at halftime on an 8-0 spurt.
Although Dickey drove for a 3-point play in the third quarter, Chaffee (16-9) eventually surged to a 36-35 lead in the fourth as Carlyanne Cossou hit a go-ahead layup with about five minutes remaining.
Bismarck promptly answered when Halie Dickey found Hawkins ahead on a fast break, then caught a massive break when Jada Dickey corralled a loose rebound.
Malinah Robertson, whose four 3-pointers powered the Chaffee offense, was called for her fifth and last personal foul. Her team was empty from the field for the remainder of the game.
Halie Dickey extended the difference to three on a clutch pair of free throws, and the Lady Indians coaxed three turnovers in a span of four ensuing defensive stops.
Robertson ended with 12 points, and Cossou had 11 for the Red Devils, who made only 1-of-8 tries from the charity stripe.
The teams combined for 19 turnovers during a ragged first quarter.
Central 80, St. Clair 59
PARK HILLS — Allysa O’Connor netted 21 points, Taylor O’Connor added 17 and Central celebrated its five seniors with an 80-59 triumph over St. Clair on Wednesday night.
Farmington forward Shelby Bowling (34) and Central guard Taylor O’Connor reach for a loose rebound on the floor during second quarter girls basketball action on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Farmington. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)
The Lady Rebels outscored the Lady Bulldogs 29-9 in the second quarter to establish a 47-24 lead at intermission, ahead of its regular-season finale against Lutheran (St. Charles) on Thursday.
Gracie Populis and Sydney Miles totaled nine points each while Courtney Dortch had eight and Khloe Dischbein tossed in seven for Central (22-3).
St. Clair (7-15) trimmed its deficit by five in the third quarter, and was paced by Emma Talleur with a game-high 22 points.
Emma Thompson produced 10 of her 14 points in the fourth, and Lila Hinson scored 11.
Farmington 59, Festus 39
FARMINGTON — Madison Mills scored 15 of her 18 points in the first half, and Farmington wrapped the regular season with a 59-39 home triumph over Festus on Wednesday night.
Brynn Johnson added 13 points, and Raylin LaCava provided 10 in their home finale as seniors. The Knights stayed in control after surging to a 37-14 halftime advantage.
Farmington (20-6) holds the top seed for the Class 5, District 1 playoffs, and will face North County next Wednesday in the first round at Hillsboro High School.
Alyzah Scaggs notched a game-high 20 points for Festus (17-9).
Jefferson 58, Arcadia Valley 51
FESTUS, Mo. — Halayna Loyd scored 22 points, and Jefferson withstood a rally by Arcadia Valley to prevail 58-51 in the semifinals of the Class 3, District 3 tournament on Wednesday night.
Jefferson (18-7) built a 20-point advantage in the third quarter, and advanced to face rival St. Pius in the championship contest on Friday night.
Braelyn Turnbough capped a stellar freshman season with a game-high 24 points for Arcadia Valley (17-10). Lillie Adams and Paige Newstead-Adams each contributed 12.
The Lady Tigers trimmed the margin to 55-49 with 1:26 remaining after Turnbough followed a deep 3-pointer with four consecutive free throws.
The Blue Jays forced back-to-back turnovers, however, to seal the win. Peyton Guffey chipped in 13 points, and Grace Neels added eight for the tournament hosts.
The contest was tied 11-11 through eight minutes before Jefferson broke ahead 32-19 at halftime.
Arcadia Valley, the reigning MAAA Small-School champion, is projected to return its entire starting lineup plus multiple contributors off the bench next season.
The Lady Tigers were 2-of-15 from 3-point range.
Principia 64, Valle Catholic 30
TOWN & COUNTRY, Mo. — Valle Catholic saw its resurgent girls basketball season conclude at the hands of Principia and its star freshman prospect on Wednesday night.
Dasia Scott scored 24 points, and the Panthers rolled past the Lady Warriors 64-30 in the semifinal round of the Class 2, District 4 tournament.
Nyja Williams added 12 points, Jayla Hawkins dropped in 11 and Natalie Hardy finished with eight. Principia (19-7) advanced to face New Haven for the title on Friday.
Valle Catholic (16-11) ultimately improved its win total by 13 over last season. But 19 turnovers on Wednesday derailed any hopes of a marquee upset.
Madelyn Griffard and Brooklyn Weibrecht netted nine points each for the Lady Warriors. Ade Weiler tallied six in her senior finale.
Principia built a 33-14 lead at halftime.
