By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For the better part of a half, Blue Eye’s lack of playoff experience showed itself.
The Lady Bulldogs – who start just one senior – found themselves trailing Pierce City, 20-19, in the final seconds of the first half without standout sophomore Kohnnar Patton on the bench due to foul trouble. Then, what seemed like a simple play, sparked Blue Eye.
Junior Ayshia Bettlach connected with classmate Taylor Arnold on a set play for a layup, giving Blue Eye a 21-20 halftime lead. The Lady Bulldogs outscored Pierce City 14-7 the rest of the way en route to a 35-27 Class 2 Sectional win on Wednesday evening at Carthage High School.
“It was a big moment boost for us,” said Blue Eye coach Ken Elfrink. “We needed that going into the half.”
“They’re kids, and they haven’t been here and it’s a big moment with a big crowd and a lot on the line. We haven’t been here before and you could see it in a few kids’ eyes. That was my biggest fear tonight, coming in knowing that Pierce City was here last year and went to the quarterfinals and have been here in five of the last six years. I knew they were going to stay poised and I was curious to see how they’d handle it. I thought we had kids really step up tonight. It was a team effort with kids off the bench playing big and we’re excited to advance and play at Drury on Saturday.”
In a game where points were difficult to come by, it was again the Lady Bulldogs stifling defense that did the trick. For the 19th time this season, Blue Eye’s opponent failed to score 40 points. The Lady Bulldogs are allowing just 33 points per game in the playoffs and Wednesday’s effort was keyed by their ability to keep Pierce City junior Kendyl Hayward in check.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
The 5-foot-9 post came in averaging 17.9 points and 10.4 rebounds but was held scoreless in one of the most dominating defensive efforts of the season.
“Hayward got in foul trouble early and that was a key for us, trying to keep her from going off inside,” said Elfrink. “The only way to do that was to push their guards out and try to take the post away from them. Defensively I can’t complain about our effort.”
Pierce City’s offensive output, which had been explosive throughout the regular season with nine games of at least 65 points, was a season-low.
Seniors Ragan Blinzler, Belle Golubski, Libbey Strickler and Emily Drollinger finish their careers as one of the most decorated classes in program history, winning districts championships in three of the last four seasons with three 20-win seasons and numerous tournament championships to their credit.
“The last four years these four girls have worked,” said Pierce City head coach Rob Guerin. “They hung a lot of banners on the wall and brought back a lot of trophies to Pierce City. It’s all because of how hard they work and their leadership qualities on and off the court. In the classroom or out in public, there isn’t a better group of girls than those four right there.”
Blue Eye will advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2006. The Lady Bulldogs draw defending Class 2 state championship Skyline, who beat Richland 59-38 in the Sectional round.
Elfrink, who also coached that 2006 group, is excited about the opportunity ahead of his kids. While they don’t have a ton of playoff experience, this is still a team that saw Glendale, Branson, Kickapoo, Willard and Cassville, just some of the eight Class 4 or Class 5 opponents Blue Eye saw this season.
While the task in front of them is tall, Elfrink understands that anything can happen in March.
“It’s been awhile, but I don’t think these kids realize they’re one game away,” said Elfrink. “You don’t get many opportunities and it’s been more than a decade since we’ve had this opportunity. We were close. Now we have another chance and it doesn’t matter who it is, both teams gotta step on the floor and play.”
Skyline and Blue Eye will play on Saturday at Drury University for a Class 2 Final Four berth at 5 p.m.
Blue Eye 35, Pierce City 27
Blue Eye 8-14-7-6 – 35
Pierce City 10-10-3-4 – 27
Blue Eye – Patton 12, Arnold 9, Hobbs 4, Hansen 4, Forester 2, Bettlach 2, Larson 2.
Pierce City – Strickler 8, Golubski 7, Blinzler 6, Drollinger 4, Jones 2.
