Nevada seventh-graders notch another blowout victory

Ralph Pokorny/Daily Mail/ Lindley Ferry brings the ball down court during Thursday's game with Fort Scott.

The Nevada Tigers middle school girls basketball A-team stayed red-hot Friday night, routing El Dorado Springs on the road 41-0.

With the win, the Tigers are now 5-1 on the season, with their only loss coming against Webb City.

Tigers point guard Calli Beshore led the way with 10 points. Teagan Charles chipped in with 7 and Payge Dahmer, Lani Coonrod, and Alexis Leighty each added 6.

"We played well as a team, especially in the first three quarters," Nevada head coach Danny Penn said. "Our defensive pressure gave them trouble and led to some turnovers and easy points for us."

Penn said he was pleased with his team's effort on the offensive end.

"On the offensive end, our wings (Payge, Lani, Hailee, Calli) shot the ball well; when they did miss, we did a good job of controlling the offensive glass," he said.

Penn was especially impressed with Charles production.

"Teagan was an offensive rebounding machine and got numerous easy putbacks," he said.

However, Penn said he would like to see his team develop more of a killer instinct.

"I thought we got lazy in the fourth quarter," he said. "Good teams are able to maintain their intensity when they've got a big lead. And that is something that we need to learn how to do. I'm confident we'll get there. Overall, I'm very happy where our team is at five games into the season.

B-team

The Nevada girls junior high B-team defeated El Dorado Springs 20-3 in an abbreviated two quarter game, Friday night.

Nevada's Lindley Ferry and Lindsay Phebus scored 8 points apiece.

"We started this game aggressively and got some open outside shots that Lindley was able to knock down," Penn said.

"When their defense adjusted to her, it left our posts open under the basket, and Lindsay Phebus was able to get some easy baskets.

"I was proud of how hard we played, and I was happy with our offensive execution in the second quarter."

Upcoming schedule

Nevada next plays at 5:30 p.m., Nov. 20, on the road against Joplin East.

On Nov. 24, Nevada takes on Carthage at home, with the game starting at 5:30 p.m. The following day, the Tigers will travel to Neosho.

After the Thanksgiving break, Nevada returns to the court Dec. 1, when they face Joplin North at home.

Check Wednesday's paper for a full recap of the seventh-grade team's blowout victory over Joplin South