From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
East Newton’s girls moved to 2-0 in pool play on Thursday night to earn a berth in the championship game of the annual McAuley Catholic Warrior Classic.
The rallying Patriots defeated Pierce City 45-38 behind Katy Cooper’s 21 points.
Exeter, in the boys round-robin, climbed to 2-0 by beating College Heights 60-42.
East Newton and fellow Big 8 Conference member Seneca, the defending champion, will clash at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday for the title.
The Pierce City girls, who were outscored 29-12 in the second half, received 12 points from Beth Golubski and 10 from Taylor Mettlach. Lindsey Bragg added 12 points for East Newton.
Exeter’s boys were paced in scoring by Zach Wubker (18) and Justin Brattin (11).
College Heights, which trailed 34-23 at intermission, got 14 points from Evan Belk, 13 from David Rice and 11 from Bro Mbuthia.
Games tonight are the McAuley girls vs. Wheaton at 6 and the McAuley boys vs. defending champion Springfield New Covenant at 7:30.
McDonald Co. girls 64, Carl Junction 54
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The Mustangs popped in ten 3-point goals and outgunned Carl Junction in the Bulldogs’ gymnasium.
Six of McDonald County’s treys came in the second half when they outscored the Bulldogs 41-31 to snap a 23-23 halftime deadlock.
Sam Pierce made four 3s in the first half and paced McDonald County with 16 points, followed by Kenzie Dill with 12, Danielle Gooder with 11 and Ashton Pratt with 10.
Maddie Stevenson and Mackenzie Valenti netted 12 points apiece for the Bulldogs (5-15). Carl Junction had five 3-pointers, two by Stevenson.
The Bulldogs return to Big 8 Conference play Monday night at home against Lamar.
Webb City girls 68, Willard 45
WILLARD, Mo. — The Cardinals, ranked No. 1 in Class 4, pulled away in the second half in hiking their record to 18-1 overall and 3-0 in the Central Ozark Conference Large Division.
Webb City, which visits Branson for a 3 p.m. makeup four-game session on Saturday, led 25-20 at halftime.
The Cardinals received 19 points from Hailey Roderique, 14 points from Kaitlin Jaeger and nine on three treys from Sharenda Campbell.
Willard’s Amanda Allen scored 15 points.
WRESTLING
Joplin nips Monett
MONETT, Mo. — It came down to criteria — the Eagles posted a 6-3 advantage in six-point wins — to lift Joplin past the Cubs 34-33 in a dual.
Three Eagles logged pins — Aaron Brown at 112 pounds, Dusty Hill at 160 and Jaxon Roberts at 189. Monett pins were registered by Ethan Davis at 145 and Ty Irwin at 171.
The match served as a warm-up for Joplin’s participation in the Ozark Conference Tournament on Saturday at Camdenton. Monett competes in the Diamond Tournament on Saturday.
