Bronaugh falls to Walnut Grove in state tourney sectional-round
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."
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.