By Anvil Welch

awelch@joplinglobe.com

Forget that Aurora’s girls have lost 11 basketball games.

That’s the approach at least by Hermann coach Todd Anderson.

“They’re playing well right now,” Anderson said. “That’s the key. Forget the records at this time.”

Aurora (18-11) challenges the Bearcats (21-6) at noon today in a quarterfinal game of the Missouri Class 3 Tournament in Hammons Center at Missouri State in Springfield.

“Aurora has a quality point guard,” Anderson said. “They have a couple of kids who can score. They have a solid starting five.”

Said Aurora coach Stephanie Heman: “Hermann is a very solid team. We aren’t sure about its quickness. But we match up well in size.”

Hermann, which trimmed Conway 61-40 in the sectional round, will be tackling a team that nipped Fair Grove 51-50 on 5-foot-4 junior Jamie Nash’s free throw with less than a second left.

“It’s another situation where, to be successful, we have to take care of the ball and get after them on defense (mostly a man),” Heman said. “We can’t give up easy shots. We didn’t rotate well enough against Fair Grove. ... especially on the backside.”

Hermann received 25 points from 5-foot-7 freshman Shelby Winkelmann in eliminating Conway. Her sister Chelsea, a 5-8 senior, grabbed 12 rebounds. For the season, Shelby is averaging 22 points and Chelsea seven boards.

Completing the probable starters for Hermann, Anderson said, are 5-9 senior Dannielle Riley, 5-8 junior Kasey Kirchhofer and 5-9 sophomore Lacey Lackman.

Heman said Aurora will counter with its usual alignment of Nash, 5-6 senior Bethany Haley, 5-6 sophomore Randi Hobson, 5-9 senior Katelyn Rickman and 5-8 junior Kenzie Lauffer.

Heman said Lauffer sparkled all-around against Fair Grove with good defense, 22 points and seven rebounds. Rickman tallied 11 and had six caroms.

Notes: Anderson, who piloted Hermann to fourth place in Class 3 in 2003, has Southwest Missouri roots. He attended kindergarten at Jasper and grades first through seventh at Carthage. He graduated from Festus High School. ... Heman, who won her first district title, said Aurora lost in the 1990 quarterfinals in its previous state appearance. ... Anderson said 5-10 senior starter Lillian Gildehaus will miss today’s game after injuring knee against Conway. ... Today’s 1:45 p.m. boys game at MSU is Spokane vs. Linn.