The Cardinals spent the entire game playing catch up but the Hornets were able to hold on and defeat Webb City 56-51.

Mason Young gave the Cardinals their only lead at 2-1, but Hillcrest put up the next 13 points forcing two time outs from Webb City.  Now trailing by a dozen, the offense frantically went to work and actually tied the game inside the last 30 seconds of the first quarter with a Grayson Smith steal and a Jackson Adams three pointer.   A Hornet free three followed by an unforced error on the Cardinals let Hillcrest score another bucket just before the end of the period and Webb City trailed 20-17.

The second quarter was a stalemate with the Hornets maintaining the lead and eventually growing it to a 30-24 half time margin.

The Cardinals made a run at the Hornets again in the third quarter closing to within a single point but once again they were rebuffed when Hillcrest rebuilt their lead back to 43-36 heading into the final eight minutes.

Webb City had one last run at the Hornets closing a seven point deficit.  A Smith bucket was followed by Trae Turner hitting a three and then stealing a pass and converting a short jumper to tie the game with less then three minutes to go.  However, the Hornets scored nine of the final 13 points to drop the Cardinals record to 6-6.

Jackson Adams led the team, scoring thirteen off the bench.  Rylan Houston added 12 as the only other double digit scorer.  Hudson Matthiesen grabbed a team high six rebounds.

Webb City will be on the road to Lebanon on Tuesday night before participating in the Frontenac tournament at the end of the week.