Owls to get shot at Stover title

STOVER -- The Marshall boys' basketball team got off to an 18-6 start and kept Tipton in its rear-view mirror, although with some tailgating, to win Tuesday's pool game in the Stover Tournament, 47-42.

The win sends the Owls into the championship game Saturday against the winner of Thursday's tilt between Cole Camp and School of the Osage.

Junior Alex Maupin knocked down three outside jumpers while scoring 11 points during the opening frame for Marshall, but the Cardinals made a charge after trailing by 14 points at halftime with a 17-8 third period -- junior Ethan Koechner going eight for eight from the three-point line.

The Owls, who have shot a respectable 65 percent from the charity stripe this season, were unable to put Tipton away down the stretch -- missing seven of 13 attempts. Junior Wade Wood scored 11 of his game-high 21 points during the fourth quarter for the Cardinals (3-4), but six points from freshman Logan Harris helped keep Marshall in front.

Maupin had 12 points while Harris and junior Zach Bishop each scored eight points and pulled down six rebounds for the Owls (3-7).

Sweet Springs 53, Westran 38

NEW FRANKLIN -- Sweet Springs took command early Tuesday, building a 17-point halftime lead and breezing to a 53-38 victory over Westran in the first round of the 83rd annual New Franklin Tournament.

Senior Colby Dohrman made four shots during the Greyhounds' 17-5 first quarter, eventually leading all scorers with 19 points.

Freshman Tyler Barron had an impressive second half for the Hornets (1-7), knocking down four three-pointers and pacing his squad with 15 points.

Sophomore Jacob Schowengerdt gave Sweet Springs a strong all-around game with 15 points, eight rebounds, four steals and five assists -- with only one turnover. Senior Christian Stetzenbach contributed 13 points and six assists, also with one giveaway.

The third-seeded 'Hounds (4-2) advance into the semifinal round Thursday to play No. 2 seed Fayette.

Lathrop 74, Malta Bend 45

MALTA BEND -- Malta Bend returned from the holiday break Tuesday with a 74-45 non-conference home loss which was closer than the final score made it appear.

The Tigers, one of the state's smallest schools, held its own with a Class 3 opponent for a half -- going into the break trailing by a mere five points. However, the Mules pulled away with a 24-10 third period behind seven points each from juniors Clay Evans and Chris Koehn.

Junior Brandon Stimelsky scored 19 points and Evans finished with 16 for Lathrop (2-7).

Junior David Hostetter tied for game-high honors with 19 points and freshman Jared Armstrong added 17 for Malta Bend (1-6). The Tigers will begin CCAA play Monday at Bunceton.

Girls

Higginsville 59, Santa Fe 26

ALMA -- Higginsville's defense overwhelmed the Santa Fe girls for three of the four quarters Tuesday during a 59-26 victory in the first round of the Lafayette County Tournament at Alma.

Five of the Lady Chiefs' first seven possessions ended up in turnovers, with the team's first field goal not coming until sophomore Ashalin Gipe stuck back a missed shot with 11 seconds remaining in the opening period.

Meanwhile, the top-seeded Lady Huskers shot 42.9 percent from the field during the first half to take a 27-10 lead into intermission.

Santa Fe got it together during the third frame, junior Chelsea Winter tallying seven of the team's 15 points to prevent its deficit from going beyond 20 points heading into the fourth quarter.

However, the Lady Chiefs managed only a free throw the rest of the way, while Higginsville routinely got looks inside off of inbounds passes on the baseline -- senior Abbie Mahnken getting five second-half assists that way.

Sophomore Emma Dyer scored 14 points and Mahnken provided 12 points and six assists for the Lady Huskers (5-3), who scored 17 second-chance points from 12 offensive rebounds.

Winter led Santa Fe with 10 points, seven rebounds and three steals. The Lady Chiefs (4-5) will play Lexington, a 50-19 loser to St. Paul, in Thursday's consolation semifinal.

Sweet Springs 48, Pilot Grove 34

NEW FRANKLIN -- Sweet Spring went into the holiday break with a 13-point loss to Pilot Grove, and emerged from it Tuesday by beating the Lady Tigers, 48-34, in the first round of the New Franklin Tournament.

The sixth-seeded Lady Greyhounds led by five points at halftime, but a 22-13 second half -- with senior Brittany Higgins and junior Breanna Bright each scoring six points -- extended their cushion.

Pilot Grove (5-3), seeded third in the tourney, became an upset victim despite a game-high 15 points from senior Hailey Bader.

Higgins paced Sweet Springs with 13 points, 13 rebounds and six steals and Bright chipped in with 10 points, six takeaways and three assists. The Lady 'Hounds (2-4) will meet host New Franklin in Thursday's semifinal round.