Lady Tigers flatten Neosho, 47-18, reach tourney title game

The Nevada Lady Tiger basketball team has opened the season with a pair of blowout victories, both coming at the Carl Junction Classic.

Monday’s 25-point rout of McDonald County, was followed by an equally impressive showing Tuesday night, as the Lady Tigers clobbered Neosho, 47-18 in the tourney semifinals.

Nevada trailed only once in the contest after falling behind 2-0. From there a 13-0 blitz handed the Lady Tigers an 11-point advantage as the first quarter horn sounded.

A Calli Beshore lay-in early in the second put Nevada on top 17-4. The Lady Tigers increased their advantage via back-to-back Lindley Ferry mid-range jumpers, and led 24-6 at the break.

Nevada remained red-hot in the second-half, as 3-point makes by Hailey Jackson and Alison Bower pushed the lead to 36-11 late in the third.

Bower finished with a game-high 12 points, while Beshore added nine.

The victory advances Nevada to the tournament championship game, and a match-up with Big 8 Conference foe Seneca. Tip off if set for 8 p.m. Thursday.

“We mixed up a lot of things defensively tonight,” said Nevada head coach Brent Bartlett.

Despite opening a 13-2 first quarter lead, Bartlett said he felt his squad was a “little slow” out of the gate.

Bartlett, however, added that he was pleased with his club’s defensive effort, holding Neosho to just two first quarter points, and 18 for the night.

Bartlett, now in his 24th season on the prep sidelines, said this is the fastest team he’s ever coached.

“And we’re well-balanced,” noted Bartlett of Nevada’s offensive attack. “We’re hard to guard. You can’t just focus on one or two people.”

Bartlett also said that he’s looking to take advantage of his team’s depth, as he aims to “rotate and wear teams out.”

See Saturday’s edition of the Daily Mail for complete coverage of the Lady Tigers title game clash with Seneca.

Junior varsity

The Nevada Lady Tigers’ junior varsity team opened its season Tuesday evening, falling to Smithville, 45-17, at the Harrisonville JV Tournament.