Willard wrestlers Griffin, Talbot take second at state

Tigers, Lady Tigers district basketball tournaments start this week

The Willard High School wrestling team ended their season last week, while the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams played their final regular season games and are now gearing up for district play this week.
Wrestling
On the mat, the Tigers had eight total state medalists, while the boys team finished fifth overall in Class 4 and the girls team finished 11th overall in Class 2. The state tournament took place on Friday, Feb. 23, and Saturday, Feb. 24, in Columbia.
The Tigers had two wrestlers finish second, Porter Talbot (215 pounds) and Brady Griffin (285 pounds); two wrestlers finish third, Noah Rogers (150 pounds) and Gary Walker (165 pounds) and one wrestler finish fifth, Jase Motlagh (175 pounds).
The Lady Tigers saw three wrestlers finish in fifth place, Ashlan Thompson (135 pounds), Ellie Higginbotham (155 pounds) and Emily Brixey (170 Pounds).
Basketball
No statistics were provided for either the boys’ or girls’ basketball teams for their games this week, but the Lady Tigers lost at Branson, 55-45, on Thursday, Feb. 22, and lost at home to Republic, 57-33 on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
The Lady Tigers are seeded seventh in this week’s Class 6, District 5 tournament. Springfield Kickapoo is the top seed, followed by, Republic, Nixa, Springfield Glendale, Ozark, Lebanon, Willard and Springfield Central. Willard is scheduled to open the tournament tonight against Republic in Springfield. The Lady Tigers are currently 8-17 on the season.
On the boys’ side Willard won at Branson on Friday, Feb. 23, 80-65 and beat Republic at home on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 70-56. The Tigers are the fourth seed in this week’s Class 5, District 6 tournament. Springfield Parkview is the top seed, followed by, Rolla, Springfield Hillcrest, Willard, West Plains, Branson, Marshfield and McDonald County. Willard is scheduled to open the tournament tomorrow night against West Plains in Marshfield. The Tigers are currently 17-9 on the season.