Concordia's zone defense cut off easy drives to the basket for the Lady Greyhounds' wings, like junior Stephanie Krause (center). (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

CONCORDIA -- A year ahead, a year away.

That's how Sweet Springs head girls' basketball coach Boyd Jones sees his sophomore-laden team. The Lady Greyhounds' 17 wins -- tying the school record set by the fine Shelley Rennison-led 2004 squad -- and first-ever appearance in a district championship game foretold good things to come, maybe sooner rather than later.

However, defending Class 2, District 8 Tournament champion Concordia's convincing 51-38 victory in Friday's final demonstrated there's still a little ways to go for the Blue and Gold girls.

"I have little doubt they will progress significantly next year," Jones forecast Sweet Springs' future. "These kids want to win."

So, obviously, do the Lady Orioles -- and they have the experience to do so in big games. After banging the ball inside to senior Jaala Nierman for six points in the opening four minutes, Concordia then went outside for three-point jumpers from seniors Lauren Bredehoeft and Megan Wood -- who hit four bombs to open up a 30-12 lead with under three minutes left in the first half.

"We put reasonable defense on the outside shot, but they hit them," Jones said. "One of the reasons Concordia is good is that they have three girls who can hit that three. It's harder to stop three than just one."

The Lady 'Hounds aren't devoid of perimeter shooting, either, but their shots weren't dropping. Sophomore Katie Davidson knocked down her first trey attempt, but Sweet Springs made only one of its next 14 shots from beyond the arc.

The Lady O's "2-3 zone was not to our benefit; it cut off ... drives to the hole," Jones conceded. "They forced us to do a lot of things we didn't want to do. When that happens, you're going to get beat."

Conversely, the Lady Orioles were moving the ball crisply -- 16 of their 17 field goals were assisted -- and would have had more than a 23-point cushion heading into the fourth quarter if not for missing eight of 20 free throws and giving up 13 offensive rebounds for 18 of the Lady 'Hounds' points up to then.

Sweet Springs wasn't going to roll over down the stretch, though. Junior Stephanie Krause converted a put-back, senior Laura Keesaer and sophomore Kristin Jones each sank a pair of free throws and sophomore Rachel Thornton connected three times from the low blocks.

Suddenly, it seemed, the gap was down to 12 points -- with 2:07 remaining. The Lady 'Hounds weren't yet threatening, but were making it interesting enough so that Concordia had to keep its starters on the floor until Wood's lay-up with 38 seconds left clinched the victory.

The Lady Orioles (20-6), behind Wood's 23 points, advance to the MSHSAA Class 2 Sectional at Jefferson City -- where seventh-ranked Smithton awaits with a 25-2 record, one of those losses at unbeaten I-70 Conference champion Crest Ridge.

Keesaer, one of only two seniors on the roster, capped a memorable final season with 13 points. Krause pulled down 10 rebounds and dished out four assists for Sweet Springs (17-11), which is now in position to soon become a league contender.

"I really think these kids have the mental toughness to do well," Jones declared. "They're not the most athletic group, but they know how to play."