Bronaugh falls to Walnut Grove in state tourney sectional-round

Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Bronaugh senior Mandy Murphy looks for an open teammate during Tuesday's Class 1 State Tournament sectional-round matchup against Walnut Grove. (Photo by Matt Resnick/Daily Mail)

After a 40-year absence, Bronaugh's return to the state tournament didn't go as planned as the Lady Wildcats were defeated 59-25 by three-time defending state champion Walnut Grove in the Class 1 sectional-round Tuesday night in Webb City .

Bronaugh (22-6) started off cold from the field, as Walnut Grove opened the game on a 9-0 run. The Lady Wildcats then responded with a 6-0 spurt, courtesy of a pair of buckets from senior Katey Rider and one from sophomore Riley Knapp.

Led by star point guard Bayley Harman, Walnut Grove closed the opening frame on a 12-1 blitz. The second quarter was low-scoring, as Bronaugh played to a 6-6 draw.

Walnut Grove (26-4) led 27-13 at halftime.

Despite a solid third quarter defensive effort, Bronaugh was unable to cut into the lead as Walnut Grove led 39-22 after three quarters of play. Walnut Grove then pulled away in the fourth, outscoring Bronaugh 20-5 in the final frame.

Harman finished with a game-high 32 points, while knocking down 15-of-20 from the charity stripe.

'She's the best point guard to-date we have seen, and the tallest," Bronaugh head coach Daryl Dodson said of the 5-foot-9 Harman, who has the frame of a power forward. "We struggled with their height and physicality.

"It's like I've told the girls all year ---- it's about winning and learning. And we learned something tonight."

Bronaugh senior point guard Taylor Stratford elevates for a mid-range jumper in the second half of Tuesday's state tournament game against Walnut Grove. Also pictured, Bronaugh senior forward Katey Rider. (Photo by Matt Resnick/Daily Mail)

Dodson's said he told his squad after the game that he "loves them," adding they had an "amazing season."

For Bronaugh, Rider finished with a team-high 10 points.

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