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Eighth-grade Lady Tigers to play for Tri-County title
In a rematch of last season's seventh-grade Tri-County Conference championship game, the top-seeded Nevada Lady Tigers eighth-grade basketball team is set to square off against No. 2 seed Webb City for all the marbles.
Nevada advanced to the title game after dispatching fourth-seeded Neosho 37-21 in the semifinals Tuesday night in Joplin. Lady Tiger point guard Allison Bower led the way with 15 points, as Nevada improved to 14-0 overall. In the other semifinal matchup, Webb City knocked off Carthage 38-27.
Hot start
The Lady Tigers jumped out to a 15-4 first quarter lead, increasing it advantage to 23-10 at halftime. Nevada then pulled away in the third quarter,outscoring Neosho 10-4 to go on top 33-14.
According to Lady Tigers head coach Robert Miner, Nevada played one of its very best games of the season.
"We executed on both ends of the floor," he said. "Our press worked extremely well and created several turnovers, allowing us to jump out to 8-0 lead to start the game."
Miner said Neosho is a strong opponent.
"Neosho is a scrappy team," he said. "They work hard and play good man-to-man defense. The last time we played them, we only won by seven. But tonight, our girls came out and played hard."
Miner discussed an area he would like to see his team improve upon.
"Defensive rebounding and boxing out," he said.
Many of the same players from last year's seventh-grade championship game, in which Nevada dropped a 37-36 heartbreaker to Webb City, will once again go to battle on the big stage.
The championship contest is slated for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Joplin South Middle School.
In its only matchup of the season, Nov. 8 at Webb City, the Lady Tigers prevailed 29-27.