Tigers basketball to open districts against Webb City, Lady Tigers seeded fifth at districts

The Willard High School boys basketball team played two games last week, defeating Carthage but losing to Republic.
 
Willard hosted Carthage on Friday, Feb. 27 and defeated the Tigers, 64-42.
 
Willard led 11-2 after the first quarter and just cruised from there, outscoring Carthage, 22-15 in the second quarter to take a 33-17 halftime lead. A 19-point third quarter saw Willard increase their lead to 52-27, heading into the final quarter of play. Carthage would outscore Willard 15-12 in the fourth quarter, but it would not matter, as the Tigers would win the game by 22 points.
 
Nahmy Kelly led Willard with 16 points, Jude Wallace and Uzziah Huskisson both had 13 points and Colbee Mowell chipped in 12 points.
 
The Tigers hosted Republic on Tuesday, Feb. 24 but lost to the Tigers 47-33.
 
Willard is now 13-12 on the season and were scheduled to play against Webb City in an opening round Class 5, District 6 Tournament game at Willard on Tuesday. The Tigers are seeded sixth in the tournament. Class 5, eighth ranked Hillcrest is the top seed, followed by Carl Junction, Webb City, Parkview, Springfield Central, Willard, Marshfield and MC Donald County. The tournament is scheduled to end on Saturday.
 
Girls basketball
 
The Lady Tigers also hosted Carthage on Friday and ran their way to an easy 64-35 victory.
 
Willard led 16-10 after the first quarter, but a 25-point second quarter put the game out of reach for Carthage, as Willard built a 41-22 halftime lead. In the third quarter, defense prevailed for the Lady Tigers as they held Carthage to just eight points, while scoring 14 points to increase their lead to 55-30. Willard closed out the game with nine points in the fourth quarter to win the game by 29 points.
 
Kennidy Keller led Willard with 24 points and Elise Murray had 11 points in the win.
 
Earlier in the week, the Lady Tigers lost at home to Republic 84-54 on Tuesday night.
 
Willard moves to 16-10 on the season and were scheduled to play against Webb City in an opening round Class 5, District 6 tournament game on Monday at Springfield. Class 5, number 1 ranked Marshfield is the top seed followed by, Class 5, fifth ranked West Plains, Class 5, third ranked McDonald County, Webb City, Willard, Hillcrest, Springfield Central and Parkview. The tournament will conclude on Friday night.