By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
Mount Vernon’s girls face a rugged assignment in the basketball semifinals of the MSHSAA Class 3 Tournament.
That’s expected, of course, but the Maryville Spoofhounds just might be more hungry than a typical semifinalist.
Maryville lost to eventual runner-up Skyline in two overtimes in the quarterfinals last season.
“And they apparently return all but one player,” Mount Vernon coach Doug Hepler said on Tuesday.
Mount Vernon (28-3) and Maryville (25-3), which is coached by Grant Hageman, are scheduled to tip off at 1:40 p.m. on Thursday at Columbia in Mizzou Arena.
The noon semifinal is defending champion St. Louis Cardinal Ritter (24-5) vs. Macon (26-4).
The winners clash at noon on Saturday for the championship. Third place will be decided at noon on Friday.
“We should have a height advantage,” Hepler said. “But they have a little more experience. We expect them to start three juniors and two seniors.
“Meridee Scott, a (5-foot-10) senior, is their scoring leader with about an 18-point average,” Hepler said. “She was an all-stater last season and really can shoot the ball. She can drive, too, to score.”
Junior guard Mataya Wooten scored 23 as Maryville dispatched Kansas City St. Pius X 59-25 in the sectional round. Maryville handled Stockton 46-30 in the quarterfinals.
“Maryville, as a team, shoots the ball well. They play pretty good defense,” Hepler said.
Maryville sank 10 treys in its 68-52 win against St. Joseph LeBlond for District 16 honors.
“These teams (the Mountaineers and Spoofhounds) overall are evenly matched,” Hepler said. “It should be a competitive game.”
Probable Mount Vernon starters include one senior in 5-9 Jessica Curl.
Completing the probables are 5-8 junior Monica Senninger, 5-9 sophomore Danielle Goodman, 5-10 junior Kenzie Williams and 5-10 sophomore Amelia Bramer.
First post player off the bench for Mount Vernon, according to Hepler, will be 6-0 freshman Tamiaya Henderson. Sophomores Sally Cowherd (5-6) and Madison Hadlock (5-5) are the backups at guard.
Williams is averaging approximately 18.5 points, Hepler said, with Goodman at more than 10, Bramer at about 10 and Curl nearly 10. Four or five girls are averaging between 4-5 rebounds, Hepler said.
Bramer or Williams likely will handle the point for the Mountaineers.
Notes: Hepler plans to dress out four more players. They are 5-6 junior Odessa Fair, 6-0 junior Lena Spellman and 6-0 freshman twins Amelia and Kayleigh McElveen. Two players won’t dress because of injuries — junior Addy Campbell and sophomore Jenna Kleine (Curl’s cousin). ... Hepler, who’s in his third season as head coach, is assisted by Bridgett Schmutz. ... Mount Vernon is making its third semifinal appearance and has two previous thirds. Maryville finished fourth in its previous trip to the semifinals. ... Final regular-season rankings by the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association: Mount Vernon No. 4, Maryville No. 7, Cardinal Ritter No. 6 and Macon No. 10. Mount Vernon ousted No. 1 Hermann in the quarterfinals.
