Stratford's 25-point outing lifts Lady 'Cats in district opener

Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Bronaugh Lady Wildcats' point guard Taylor Stratford releases a 3-pointer from the left wing in the opening-round of the Class 1 District 6 tournament, Monday evening in Drexel. Stratford finished with a game-high 25 points as the Lady Wildcats advanced to the tournament semifinals. Also pictured: Sheldon's Meckinize McCartney (far left) and Leah Bogart. (Submitted photo)

DREXEL, Mo. ---- The top-seeded Bronaugh Lady Wildcats defeated the eighth-seeded Sheldon Lady Panthers 59-25 Monday night in the opening round of the class 1 District 6 girls' basketball tournament.

Bronaugh (20-5) advanced to the semifinals where they will matchup with the fourth-seeded Hume Lady Hornets. Tip off is slated for 4:30 p.m., today.

Lady 'Cats point guard Taylor Stratford proved difficult to guard for Sheldon, as the senior exploded for a season-high 25 points, which included five 3-pointers to go along with five steals.

The Lady 'Cats controlled the contest from the outset, going in front 16-4 at the conclusion of the first quarter. After outscoring Sheldon 21-4 in the second, Bronaugh seized a commanding 37-8 halftime lead.

With some of their starters resting, Bronaugh was unable to sustain its first half scoring output, outscoring Sheldon 22-17 for the final 34-point margin.

For Bronaugh, senior forward Katey Rider finished with 15 points, while knocking down 5-of-6 from the charity stripe to go along with eight rebounds. Senior Mandy Murphy chipped in with eight assists and eight rebounds; Riley Knapp, six points and four steals; while Mattie Earnest added four points and five steals.

Freshman shooting guard Meckinize McCartney led the way for Sheldon, finishing with a team-high 18 points, while connecting on 4-of-6 from long-range. With the defeat, the Lady Panthers wrap up its season 3-18 overall.

On a bright note for Sheldon, the vast majority of its lineup will return to the floor next season, as the Lady Panthers graduate only one senior from the team.

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