By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
A dominating opening quarter catapulted Seneca’s girls to their fourth straight championship in the McAuley Catholic Warrior Classic on Saturday night.
Taylor McDaniel, a 5-foot-7 senior, scored 25 points to spark the Indians’ 68-49 victory.
McDaniel tossed in 11 points, including three treys, to key the 23-8 advantage after one quarter.
Pierce City defeated McAuley 52-23 for third place and College Heights trimmed Wheaton 49-9 for fifth in the annual event.
Seneca 68, East Newton 49
The Patriots played the Indians nearly even after the opening offensive display.
Said Seneca coach Bob Coffey: “We had a tremendous start. We had excellent defensive pressure to set the tempo for the game.
“That pressure allows you to get open looks (in transition after turnovers) and you also can do some things,” Coffey said. “We had a nice flow on offense throughout the game.”
Said East Newton coach Rusty McDermott: “They (the Indians) came out ready to play. We were meek ... back on our heels.
“Give Seneca all the credit. They’re a good ballclub. They had too many open looks at the basket in that first half. We also didn’t block out very well in the first half.
“Our girls handled the defensive pressure better in the second half,” McDermott said.
Seneca (14-6) also got 13 points apiece from Erin Esposito and Jacci Yust.
Fellow Big 8 Conference member East Newton (10-8) received 22 points from Katy Cooper.
Pierce City 52, McAuley 23
The Eagles, thanks to an 18-0 advantage in the second quarter, were ahead 28-7 at intermission.
Nine players scored for Pierce City with Emily Ashley the leader with 10. Rachel Miller and Taylor Mettlach, working the inside, combined for 17.
Sonya Kilongkilong sank three treys in scoring 17 for McAuley.
Said Pierce City coach Marty Rinehart: “We played with outstanding defensive pressure in that second quarter. That got us going on offense. We’re at our best when our defense leads to our offense.”
CHC 49, Wheaton 9
Stefany Benson tallied 12 and Kirsty Green 11 to pace the Cougars, who led 35-8 at the half after a 25-8 bulge in the second quarter.
“We shot the ball incredibly well in the first half,” College Heights coach John Blankenship said. “We ran our offense well. We were concerned entering the game about the Wheaton defense.”
Konner McIntire sparkled overall for the Cougars with five steals, five rebounds and three blocked shots.
Kelsi Bodine, who had two 3s, added eight points for CHC.
