Lady Pirates win Marionville’s Lady Comet Classic

Seniors Moad, Gilliland, McClelland named to all-tournament team
 
The Ash Grove High School girls’ basketball team traveled to Marionville last week to take part in the Lady Comet Classic and came home with the championship trophy.
    On Saturday, Jan. 29, Ash Grove took on Spokane in the championship game and took a 19-17 lead into the second quarter, but Spokane answered back and outscored the Lady Pirates, 14-12 to tie the game at 31-31 at the half.
    In the second half, it was all Ash Grove, as they put up 18 points in the third quarter and 23 points in the fourth quarter to take the title with a 71-55 win.
    Khloe Moad led Ash Grove with 23 points; Brittany Gilliland added 17 points and Emma McClelland ended the game with 16 points.
    Ash Grove reached the championship game by knocking off Crane, 54-33 in the semifinals on Thursday, Jan. 20.
    The Lady Pirates led 31-16 at the half and then cruised to the 21-point victory.
    Moad led Ash Grove with 21 points; Gilliland added another 13 points and Madison Lutz had 10 points in the victory.
    The Lady Pirates opened the tournament against Billings on Tuesday, Jan. 18, and easily posted a 61-19 victory.
    Ash Grove led 13-1 after the first quarter and 26-2 at the half. The Lady Pirates exploded for 27 points in the third quarter, while holding Billings to just six points to increase their lead to 53-8. Billings scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, but it was no where near enough, as the Lady Pirates sailed to the 42-point win.
    Moad led with 17 points, Gilliland had 14 points and McClelland ended up with 12 points in the game.
    Moad, Gilliland and McClelland were all named to the all-tournament team.
    With the three wins, Ash Grove improved their record to 10-6 on the season and will have a busy week as they were scheduled to travel to Lockwood on Monday, before hosting Hollister last night and Pierce City tomorrow night.