The Chillicothe Lady Hornets hosted Maryville on Senior Night Thursday. Both teams entered 2-3 in the MEC, with a top 4 finish in the conference on the line.
Both defenses played well early, disrupting the rhythm of the opposing offense. Maryville was ahead by one at the end of the first quarter but Chillicothe held a 17-15 halftime edge. The first half features numerous lead changes as each teams largest first half lead was just three points.
In the 3rd quarter, the Lady Hornets made a concerted effort to get Lydia Bonderer the ball on the low blow, and the decision paid dividends. Bonderer scored a game high 18 points, including 12 after halftime. She was unstoppable in the post, as Chillicothe built a 10 point lead 31-21.
Early in the 4th quarter Lexy Smith hit a three to extend the Lady Hornets advantage back out to 10 at 34-24. Maryville responded with a three of their own, which unleashed a 14-3 run that put Maryville ahead 38-37 in the final minutes.
With under a minute to play and the game tied 38-38, Maryville’s Reagan Kurz hit a runner from the edge of the lane to put the Spoofhounds ahead. Chillicothe pushed the ball up the court, and Lydia Bonderer was fouled driving to the basket. Bonderer calmly hit the free throws to tie the game and the Lady Hornets forced Maryville into a tough shot that missed, sending the game to overtime.
After winning the tip, the Lady Hornets ran a staple play to free Lyla Beetsma for two, and Chillicothe never looked back, leading the entire overtime period in route to the 51-46 win.
The Lady Hornets dramatic overtime victory caps the regular season with a 21-5 record, 3-3 in the MEC. The Lady Hornets will open district play on Monday.
Chillicothe 6 17 31 40 51
Maryville 7 15 24 40 46
Individual scoring:
Chillicothe – Bonderer 18, Beetsma 14, Smith 8, Emerson Staton 6, Ava Leamer 5
Maryville – Claire Walter 11, Payton Kurz 8, Leah Wonderly 8, Jade Price 6, Emily Yaple 6, Reagan Kurz 4, Brylee Acklin 3