By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Whatever term you want to use – tradition, dynasty, pipeline – the championships continue to pile up for the Walnut Grove Lady Tigers.
Walnut Grove won its 12 straight district title on Friday night, putting away Dadeville in the second quarter amid a 48-23 victory at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar.
“It’s awesome,” said Walnut Grove coach Rory Henry of the district championship. “This is something we’ve wanted since the beginning of the year. These kids just want to win.”
Walnut Grove will play the District 8 winner, St. Elizabeth or Macks Creek, in a Class 1 sectional on March 1 at Camdenton High School.
The District 8 championship game is set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Blair Oaks High School.
After a slow start, Walnut Grove took control by outscoring Dadeville 20-4 in the second quarter.
Freshman guard Ellie Smith made a buzzer-beating 3 at the end of the first quarter, a prelude of things to come.
Smith finished with 31 points. She scored 23 in the first half and made five 3-pointers.
“Ellie had an amazing game,” Henry said. “Probably the best game of her young career.”
Walnut Grove led 30-9 at halftime and limited Dadeville to just two points in the third quarter.
Walnut Grove has adjusted its style from fast-paced teams of the past. The 2022 Lady Tigers are allowing about 35 points per game this season, Henry said.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
“It’s been exciting to see this group buy into that, after we’ve been used to playing baseline-to-baseline and scoring 70 points a game,” Henry said. “Now, we’re scoring in the 40s but still winning.”
Smith’s part of a new cast of characters leading the way for Walnut Grove. The Lady Tigers started three freshmen and two juniors in Friday’s Class 1 District 7 championship game against Dadeville.
After last season, the Lady Tigers graduated an eight-player senior class – many of which led the program to three final fours and two state championships during their careers.
“It’s normal to us, but for us to lose eight seniors last year and come back with one player who played varsity minutes, it’s awesome,” said Walnut Grove junior Jaedyn Johnson. “Especially for us, since we have a young team.”
The foundation of Walnut Grove’s success: culture and team chemistry.
Henry, who also serves as a junior high coach at Walnut Grove, said players are familiar with the program’s standards by the time they reach high school.
“I get these kids early on,” Henry said. “They just work their way up and they’re involved with what we do. When they get their opportunity, they’re ready to take advantage of it.”
Johnson, like so many before her, has followed that path.
“It started with our roots,” Johnson said. “We’ve all known each other since we were five years old and we’ve grown from there up to this point. It’s special making our dreams as little girls come true.’”
Walnut Grove hasn’t needed much luck during its run. The Lady Tigers (21-7 overall) have now posted 13 straight seasons of 20 or more wins.
Dadeville finishes 14-13 overall, earning its first winning season in nine years. The Lady Bearcats were 4-13 overall last season and barely had enough players to field a team.
Walnut Grove 48, Dadeville 23
Dadeville 5 4 2 12 — 23
Walnut Grove 10 20 6 12 — 48
Walnut Grove (21-7 overall) – Smith 31, Kruger 4, P. Johnson 4, J. Johnson 3, Craig 3, Gavisk 2, Vinson 1
Dadeville (14-13 overall) – Lakey 8, Griffon 5, Wince 5, C. Cornelison 3, L. Cornelison 2
