BY JASON PEAKE
The Webb City Cardinals will play for a district championship for the fourth straight season.
On the other hand, the Neosho Wildcats earned a spot in a district title game for the first time in 16 years.
Top-seeded Webb City earned a hard-fought 41-35 victory over fifth-seeded McDonald County on Wednesday night in the semifinals of the Class 4 District 12 boys basketball tournament inside the Cardinal Dome. The Cardinals (15-9) will meet second-seeded Neosho (10-15) at 7:30 on Friday for the district crown.
The Wildcats rode a fast start to a 51-35 win over sixth-seeded Carl Junction.
WEBB CITY, 41-35
It wasn't easy, but the Cardinals survived and advanced.
The hosts trailed at intermission, but the Cardinals pulled ahead for good after outscoring the Mustangs 16-6 in a game-changing third period.
"McDonald County had a good game plan by holding the ball and shortening the game," Cardinals coach Jason Horn said. "I thought our guys turned it up defensively in the third quarter and we were able to get some runouts. We showed a lot of composure and executed down the stretch."
The Mustangs definitely gave the No. 1 seed a scare.
"I'm so proud of our kids," McDonald County coach Kyle Fields said. "We had one day to prepare and I thought our kids played hard and executed our game plan. Even with a loss, I thought it was a good way to end the year. We had a chance late."
Senior guard Alex Gaskill led Webb City with 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Gaskill also pulled down a team-high six rebounds.
"Gaskill had a really nice game," Horn said. "He finished well and made plays. He's a senior and he didn't want it to end."
Junior guard Terrell Kabala added seven points for the Cardinals.
McDonald County senior forward Cooper Reece poured in a game-high 25 points on 11-of-18 shooting to go along with seven rebounds.
"He's had to carry the load for us all year," Fields said. "He's been our leading scorer for three years and he played well tonight."
After an even first quarter, the 6-foot-5 Reece came alive in the second period, scoring 12 in the frame to give the Mustangs a 24-18 halftime advantage.
By speeding up the game, the Cardinals outscored the Mustangs by 10 in the third period to take a 34-30 lead.
"Our pressure defense got the game going up and down a little bit and gave us a boost," Horn said.
A pair of hoops from Gaskill gave the hosts a four-point cushion with 1:12 remaining.
The Mustangs then missed shots on threestraight possessions, twice in the lane and a trey attempt, before fouling. Two late charities from Jaystin Smith accounted for the final margin.
Webb City won district titles in 2016 and '17 before falling in the title game last season to Carl Junction.
Joplin Globe 02/28/2019 (Used by permission)