Willard Lady Tigers defeat Branson, enter district tournament at No. 1 seed

The regular season has come to end for the Willard High School girls and boys basketball teams, as the Lady Tigers knocked off Branson, and the Tigers lost to Branson and Logan-Rogersville.

          Girls
Willard traveled to Branson on Tuesday, Feb. 25 and came home with a 71-65, hard fought victory over the Lady Pirates.
The Lady Tigers jumped out to a 19-12 first quarter lead and increased that lead to 32-22 halftime lead. Both teams scored 14 points each in the third quarter, allowing Willard to maintain their 10-point lead. In the fourth quarter, both teams found their shooting touch, as the Lady Tigers put up 25 points but Branson outscored Willard by dropping 29 points. It was not enough, though, as Willard came away with the six-point victory.
“What a way to end the regular season,” said head coach J. J. Adamson. “That was a fun game to be a part of, finishing this regular season at 17-8 is fantastic and I am really proud of this group.”
Jada Holloman led Willard with 21 points; Megan Mahan added 20 points and Brielle Adamson ended the game with 11 points.
Willard will be the No. 1 seed going into this week’s Class 5, District 12 tournament in Carthage, as the Lady Tigers were scheduled to play against Joplin on Monday night. The tournament championship game is scheduled to be played tonight.
    
           Boys
The boys dropped two more games last week, losing to Logan-Rogersville, 65-41, at Willard on Thursday, Feb. 27 and at Branson 50-49 on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
The Tigers are now 11-16 on the season and will enter this week’s Class 5, District 12 tournament in Carthage as the No. 4 seed and were scheduled to play against Joplin on Tuesday, March 3. The district tournament championship game is scheduled for tonight.