BY JASON PEAKE

Webb City trailed at the end of the opening stanza, but the Cardinals picked up the defensive intensity and outscored the Wildcats 20-2 in the second quarter.

"I felt like Neosho had the momentum early," Webb City coach Lance Robbins said. "They came out ready to play to their credit. They had a lot of energy at the start of the game, and I don't think we did. We hung in there. In thesecond quarter we were able to generate some

turnovers out of our press and get some easy buckets. That changed the momentum of the game."

Jaydee Duda scored 19 points to lead Webb City (11-11, 3-4 COC), while Keira Jackson added 15. Sierra Kimbrough and Raven Vaughn chipped in seven points apiece. Kenzie Robbins recorded nine rebounds, while Vaughn grabbed five steals and Kimbrough handed out three assists.

The Cardinals made 20-of-65 field goal attempts, while Neosho was 14-of-45 from the floor.

Halley Merrell led Neosho (6-17, 0-7) with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Kristy Pace added 11. Maile Gindling added nine and Olivia Hixson scored eight points and had three steals.

The Wildcats led 18-14 at the end of the first quarter, but the Cardinals finished the first half on a 19-0 run.

"We came out with a lot of fire, and I think we shocked them a little bit," Neosho coach Macey Embrey said. "But I think our energy and fire died down a little bit in the second quarter. The second quarter really hurt us. It was big."

Six different Cardinals scored during the second-period surge, while the Wildcats went cold from the field and also struggled to take care of the basketball.

Webb City extended its lead to 50-27 by the end of the third quarter.

"Our kids continued to play hard," Robbins said. "We attacked their zone well. I thought Neosho's kids played hard the whole game too."

Previously an assistant, Embrey took over the reins of the Wildcats just last week when Matt Hixson was suddenly relieved of his duties.

"It's been a little different," Embrey noted. "The good thing is I was already involved with the varsity girls as the assistant."

Joplin Globe 02/19/2020 (Used by permission)