Lady Tigers storm into district tourney title game

Nevada Lady Tiger junior Tylin Heathman sinks a short jumper, while detonating for 15 points in the first half of Tuesday's victory.

Submitted photo

The top-seeded Nevada Lady Tigers are on to the Class 4 District 13 title tilt after walloping number four-seed Notre Dame de Sion Storm, 60-34, in semifinal action Tuesday night in Harrisonville.

Nevada (22-4) received a major offensive boost from Tylin Heathman, as the junior guard poured in a season-high 17 points, 15 of which came in the first half.

After falling behind 2-0, the Lady Tigers hit the Storm with a 10-0 blitz, capped by a Payge Dahmer 3-ball.

Heathman scored the final five points of the opening frame, punctuated by a desperation three at the horn, for a 19-10 Lady Tiger advantage.

Nevada grabbed their first double-digit lead of the contest early in the second, courtesy of reserve forward Claire Pritchett's lay-in, handing the Lady Tigers a 23-12 advantage.

The Storm trimmed the deficit to seven, but Heathman caught fire, pouring in 10 points in the frame, including a pair of 3-pointers, fueling the Lady Tigers to a commanding 39-21 halftime advantage.

There wasn't much by the way of offensive fireworks in the second half, as Nevada outscored the beleaguered Storm 21-13.

Nevada High School senior forward Lindsay Phebus looks to score from close-range Tuesday.

Submitted photo

Heathman and senior point guard Calli Beshore shared game-high scoring honors with 17 points apiece. Dahmer joined her teammates in double-figure scoring, chipping in a dozen, while Alison Bower added eight.

"It was a great team effort," said Nevada head coach Brent Bartlett. "We really came out and played good team basketball to start the game. Our defense did a good job all night long of trying to keep them off-balance."

The decisive victory moves Nevada to Thursday's district championship game and a matchup with No. 2 seed Grandview (18-9).

The Lady Tigers are in search of their third consecutive district crown, as tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. at Harrisonville High School.

Nevada Lady Tiger junior guard Alison Bower drives hard to the bucket.

Submitted photo

The two teams did not meet in the regular-season. Comparing common opponents, Nevada registered a 57-50 non-conference home victory over Warrensburg on Jan. 29, while Grandview defeated Warrensburg 68-46 in the other district semifinal game Tuesday evening.