C2D3: Oran shakes off slow start against Advance

ADVANCE, Mo. — The Oran girls’ basketball will have a chance to win its 10th straight district championship when the team takes on St. Vincent (23-3) for the MSHSAA Class 2, District 3 crown on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m.

The Lady Eagles (16-9) advanced the championship game with a 53-37 victory over Advance with Bell City (6-19) on Thursday, Feb. 23.

“There is definitely a culture at Oran,” said Jaysa Jenkins. “I’ve been blessed to be a part of it for three years now. These seniors have been working for a really long time. We have faced some adversity throughout the season and has some ups and downs, but if we all come together, do things right, give 110 percent effort and not give up and get flustered then we will be able to compete.”

Oran's Bralynn Morgan (22) scores in transition during a 53-37 win over Advance with Bell City in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 3 semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 23 at Advance High School. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Things got off to a rocky start for Oran, as the team didn’t get on the scoreboard until Grace Davis scored in transition off an assist from Bralynn Morgan with three minutes and 22 seconds left in the first quarter.

“Our defense was flat,” Jenkins said. “We didn’t have a lot of intensity on defense, and whatever kind of intensity we bring on defense is reflective for us on offense. We can’t just turn it on and off. We have to come out strong on both ends.”

The Lady Eagles played much better in the final couple minutes of the opening quarter after Jenkins took a timeout and talked to her team.

Advance with Bell City's Kaylee Cline (22) shoots during a 53-37 loss to Oran in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 3 semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 23 at Advance High School. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Morgan grabbed a steal and made layups on two straight possessions, Davis had an offensive rebound and a putback and Haley Webb converted a 3-point play after making a nice hook shot in the post to put Oran up 11-4 at the end of the first quarter.

“We picked it up on defense,” Jenkins said. “And our offense started rolling.”

Webb picked off a pass and assisted Morgan to put the Lady Eagles up by double digits for the first time a couple of minutes into the second quarter, and the team went into halftime with a 26-14 advantage.

Oran's Grace Davis (25) shoots during a 53-37 win over Advance with Bell City in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 3 semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 23 at Advance High School. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“We had good effort,” Jenkins said. “I wouldn’t say it was our prettiest game, but an ugly win is always better than a pretty one. We’re starting to come together and try to do things right. We just have to put it all together.”

The Lady Hornets climbed back into single digits late in the third quarter when Kaylee Cline knocked down a pair of free throws, but Webb came right back with a quick inside score to make it 40-30 with about 10 seconds before the buzzer.

Taylor Hobbs hit a deep 2-point shot at the start of the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 42-30.

Oran's Taylor Hobbs (12) shoots during a 53-37 win over Advance with Bell City in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 3 semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 23 at Advance High School. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Advance kept battling in the final quarter, but wasn’t able to ever get back within striking distance thanks to the Lady Eagles' relentless attack.

“[Advance] never gave up and were confident in themselves, which they should be after great upset [in the opening round],” Jenkins said. “They brought it and made us work. They’re a well-coached team and did a great job.”

Webb finished with a game-high 21 points, while Davis contributed 17.

Advance with Bell City's Maggie Stubenrauch (24) brings the ball up during a 53-37 loss to Oran in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 3 semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 23 at Advance High School. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“These girls always go out there and try to do it better than the last time,” Jenkins said. “That’s what it’s going to take. It’s going to take 100 percent effort from every player. As long as they’re giving the effort, I’m going to be proud, regardless of if it is ugly or pretty. Effort for me is the biggest key for us.

“We don’t have time to rest at this point in the season,” she continued. “We have to be hustling for every single rebound and loose ball. I need 100 percent intensity from them at all times, and they have to know that.”

Maggie Stubenrauch and Cline were the Lady Hornets leaders with 13 and 11, respectively.

Oran's Emma Priggel (11) dribbles during a 53-37 win over Advance with Bell City in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 3 semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 23 at Advance High School. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Advance has a bright future ahead and will return its entire team after having no seniors on the roster this season.

“We competed well,” said Advance coach Ethan Barrr. “We were disappointed with our regular season, and they really stepped it up the past two games and competed in districts. Overall I’m happy.

“Defensively, we played about as well as we could,” he continued. “But offensively we didn’t execute well. Oran plays man-to-man and we don’t see that a lot. The girls did their best, but at the end of the day we just weren’t good enough offensively, but we have zero seniors and should have everybody back. It’s exciting and I feel like we’re in a good spot. But we have to get everybody in the gym during the offseason, working to improve.”

__ORAN 53, ADVANCE/BELL CITY 37__

Advance 4 10 16 7 — 37

Oran 11 15 15 13 — 53

__Advance/Bell City (37) —__ Maggie Stubenrauch 13, Kaylee Cline 11, Harley Daniels 6, Natalee Roper 4, Jayden Miller 3. FG: 14. FT: 7-14. F: 17. (3-pointers: Miller 1, Stubenrauch 1. Fouled out: Cline.)

__Oran (53) —__ Haley Webb 21, Grace Davis 17, Bralynn Morgan 6, Emma Priggel 4, Taylor Hobbs 3, Kendal Burger 2. FG: 21. FT: 9-14. F: 15. (3-pointers: Davis 1, Hobbs 1. Fouled out: none.)