PLEASANTON — Southern Coffey County High’s girls could do little wrong over the first 21⁄2 quarters of their Class 1A regional semifinal Friday.
They Lady Titans shot well from the field and held Marais Des Cygnes Valley High’s offense in check.
As a result, Southern Coffey County led by more than 30 with about 2 minutes left in the third period.
Head coach Jeff True isn’t sure what sparked Marais Des Cygnes Valley’s furious comeback from there — “Maybe it was a lack of concentration,” he said — but the Trojans began to click on offense.
“We got a little sloppy,” True said. “They started pressing us, and they hit some big shots down the stretch. Give their girls credit. They never gave up.”
Still, Southern Coffey County’s early advantage was never threatened as the Lady Titans secured a 64-43 win.
The victory sets up the Lady Titans in tonight’s regional championship against Waverly, a squad Southern Coffey County edged by one point on a last-second shot in January.
Regardless of the outcome of tonight’s contest, the Lady Titans (18-4) are assured of a spot in next week’s substate playoffs. Tonight’s final will be played at regional host Pleasanton High School Tipoff is at 6 o’clock.
“Waverly’s a much-improved team,” True said. “They’ve got a lot of talent — a lot of young talent.”
Southern Coffey County raced to the early lead against the Trojans, 19-7 after one period. The advantage grew to 38-12 at the break.
“We got a little sloppy, and they outplayed us for the last two minutes of the third quarter and all of the fourth quarter,” True said.
A Marais Des Cygnes Valley three-pointer cut the margin to 16 by the midway part of the fourth quarter, but Southern Coffey County was able to clamp back down on defense from there to stay well in front.
A balanced scoring attack paced the Lady Titans.
Shelby Birk scored 18 points, while Kristen Garland scored 13 points with five steals. Laurie Ohl scored 12 points and Taylor Stephens scored 10 points with eight rebounds.
Kylie Vanderpool scored 17 and Jamie Rice 11 to pace Marais Des Cygnes Valley.
Southern Coffey County (19-19-14-12—64) (FG/3pt): Gudenkauf 0-0-2-0, Garland 2/3-0-2-13, Witteman 0-2-0-2, Birk 2/3-5-2-18, Jacob 1-2-2-4, Ohl 4-4-2-12, Stephens 3-4-4-10, Meyer 2-0-2-4, Seabolt 0-1-1-1. TOTALS: 14/6-18-17-64.
