Tigers, Lady Tigers spoil Cassville's homecoming

A couple weeks ago, the Nevada High School girls basketball team found its identity.

Friday in Cassville, the Lady Tigers showed off their new look — to rave reviews.

“We’ve really worked hard in practice on applying pressure, and tonight we applied that pressure,” said NHS head coach Blake Howarth, whose team led 17-5 after one quarter en route to a 49-38 victory over the Lady Cats. “I’m super excited about the way our girls showed up and played, especially in setting the tone early.”

Nevada’s offense stepped up, as well, led by Tylan Heathman’s 18 points and Clara Swearingen’s 11. Abby Harter chipped in seven.

The win moved NHS over the .500 mark (10-9 overall; 3-2 in conference) and sets up a rematch next week against the Lady Mustangs of McDonald County, who beat the Lady Tigers in overtime in the Carl Junction Classic earlier this season.

The Nevada boys made sure to spoil Cassville’s homecoming with a 64-23 thrashing in the nightcap.

The Tigers (14-5, 3-1) took advantage of their superior size with a number of alley-oop layups in the second quarter, before locking down on D in the third — a period in which they outscored the Wildcats 21-3.

“At halftime we looked in the mirror and just said we’re better than that defensively,” said NHS head coach Shaun Gray, whose team held Cassville to six points in the second half. “We were really proud of that second-half defense.”

Logan Applegate led the way with 19 points, followed by Ben Hines with 11 and Evan Rea with 10.

Next up for the Tigers: a showdown Monday night at rival Lamar.