By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
In a high-scoring game that saw three players combine for almost two-thirds of the 163 total points, rebounding propelled Miller into the Class 2 girls basketball semifinals.
The Cardinals outscored Osceola 30-19 in the fourth quarter and outgunned the Indians 87-76 Saturday night in a quarterfinal game at Willard High School.
“In the fourth quarter, we started to get defensive rebounds,” Miller head coach Brandon Weiss said. “We were getting out in transition and hitting some girls open for layups. I think we went on an 8-0 run in about a minute span. That’s basically the difference in the game right there.”
Two future Missouri Valley Conference opponents put on scoring exhibitions.
Miller’s Hannah Wilkerson, headed for Missouri State, fired in 42 points, raising her state-record total to 3,642. Osceola’s Jordan Garrison, who’s going to play at Creighton, tallied 33 points.
“They were both offensive-minded, hitting open teammates and hitting their shots as well,” Weiss said. “Jordan is a little bit smaller (5-foot-6). She has a quick step-back move, and if she’s on ... she was on (Saturday) night, hitting almost everything. She has to create a little more space, and she doesn’t have her feet set when she’s shooting but she will hit them.
“Hannah (5-8) does a better job of using her body to her advantage. She can move around people and create her own shot.”
Nicole Adams, a senior, contributed 26 points for Miller, and Kaitlin Johnson chipped in with 11. The Cardinals rallied from a 21-17 first-quarter deficit to lead 34-32 at halftime.
Miller (27-4) makes its first girls basketball state semifinal appearance on Thursday against undefeated Harrisburg at 8:20 p.m. Thursday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. The Bulldogs (29-0) decked once-beaten Penney-Hamilton 68-45 in their quarterfinal game.
