The Chillicothe Lady Hornets basketball team hosted Maryville in the first round of the Class 4 District 16 tournament on Monday night. The Lady Hornets dramatic overtime victory against the Spoofhounds last week to close out the regular season, earned Chillicothe the 4 seed in districts, and the opportunity to host 5th seeded Maryville.
The Spoofhounds shot lights out in the first few minutes, hitting three triples and leading 9-3. Chillicothe had a quick response with a 10-0 run to close the first quarter and led 13-9. Chillicothe’s defense was excellent early, preventing Maryville from a single field goal in the final 5 minutes of the half, extending the margin out to 28-19. Senior Lyla Beetsma was on the attack from the opening tip, scoring a team 11 first half points and 18 for the game.
Chillicothe extended their nine point advantage out to 35-21 in the 3rd quarter, which prompted a Maryville timeout. Following the reset, the complexion of the game flipped. Chillicothe turned the ball over at an alarming rate, and Maryville began executing on the offensive end. The Lady Hornets committed 8 turnovers in the 3rd quarter, to zero by Maryville. The Spoofhounds ripped off a 17-2 run to go from down fourteen to ahead 38-37 entering the 4th quarter.
Maryville kept the momentum going, opening up a 45-38 lead with under 4 minutes to play. In total it was a 24-3 run to secure the momentum for Maryville. Chillicothe responded, elevating their play to make a comeback effort of their own. Ava Leamer drained a three with under 2 minutes to play that cut the Lady Hornets deficit to one point and 47-46. Chillicothe had a couple of chances late to tie or take the lead, but couldn’t manage another bucket, as Maryville preserved the 49-46 win.
Maryville had tremendous performances from Reagan Kurz on the perimeter and Claire Walter in the paint who combined for 35 points. The Spoofhounds will take on top seeded Benton on Wednesday in the district semi-final.
The Lady Hornets season comes to an end with a 21-6 record. Chillicothe will graduate starters Lyla Beetsma, Emerson Staton and Ava Leamer, along with key reserves Maicee Albrecht and Hayden Hansen. The Lady Hornets have won 20 games in five straight season under Coach Darren Smith which ties a program record.
Chillicothe 13 28 37 46
Maryville 9 19 38 49
Individual scoring:
Chillicothe – Beetsma 18, Lexy Smith 13, Leamer 8, Lydia Bonderer 6, Staton 1
Maryville – Walter 18, R. Kurz 17, Brylee Acklin 8, Payton Kurz 6, Grace Stiens 1