The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

High School Sports

Discussion

December 5, 2012

Cardinals rated fourth in Joplin tournament

By Anvil Welch Globe Sports Writer

Webb City and Nixa enter the 16th annual Joplin Freeman/Lady Eagle Classic on Thursday with 3-0 prep basketball records.

They tangled in the final last season with Nixa logging a 40-36 victory.

But their clash this year in the tournament  — if it happens — will be in the semifinals in Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium at Missouri Southern State University.

Nixa and Webb City are seeded first and fourth, respectively.

Thursday’s opening schedule is Nixa vs. Blue Valley West (Kan.) at 4 p.m., Webb City vs. Harrison (Ark.) at 5:30, second-seeded Marshfield vs. Joplin at 7 and Springdale (Ark.) Har-Ber vs. Neosho at 8:30.

Times are identical for the Friday session. Saturday’s schedule, however, tips off at 1 p.m. with the seventh-place game.

Webb City, avenging last season’s buzzer-beating loss in the final of the Carl Junction Classic, beat Carthage 51-43 last Saturday to reach 3-0.

Nixa made it 3-0 by stifling visiting Mount Vernon 51-19 on Monday night.

The Eagles, Webb City coach Brad Shorter admitted, opened his eyes from afar — he can scout them on Thursday — with their performance against Mount Vernon.

Jim Middleton’s charges allowed one point in the second half. They sank 10 treys in the game with nine in the first half.

“We’ve got a lot of players who are skilled offensively,” Middleton told Chris Basnett in the Springfield News-Leader. “What we’re trying to do is think defense. And they’re showing signs.”

Jeana Raper, a senior guard, sank five 3s in scoring 19 points for the Eagles.

Said the Cardinals’ Shorter: “I like what we’re doing. I’m happy with the defense — mostly man-to-man and some matchup zone — but we have a long way to go. We need to pass the ball around a little better.”

Probable Webb City starters in the classic — all juniors — are 5-foot-7  Mikaela Burgess, 6-0 Desirea Buerge, 5-8 Kaitlin Beason, 5-7 Megan Heman and 6-2 Casey Heger.

Scoring averages include 16  for Burgess, 14.7 for Beason, 11.3 for Heger, 11 for Buerge and 4.7 for Heman.

Leading rebounders are Buerge 8.7, Heger 6.3 and Beason 5.7. Beason is shooting 53 percent from the field and Burgess 79 from the foul line.

Text Only
High School Sports
Facebook
Poll

The Institute of Medicine is recommending that schools provide opportunities for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day for students and that physical education become a core subject. Do you think schools should adopt that program?

Yes.
No.
     View Results
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
NDN Video
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness "Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs