Clutch plays push Kelly past Chaffee for Scott-Mississippi Conference bronze

BENTON, Mo. — Second-half adjustments weren't just scribbles on a whiteboard; they were the fuel that propelled Kelly to a win over Chaffee in the third-place game of the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament.

The second-seeded Lady Hawks’ (10-7) defensive clampdown, holding the fourth-seeded Lady Devils (8-8) to a frigid 26 percent from the field in the second half, proved the difference-maker, as the offense stabilized to secure a 62-55 victory.

“This was probably the best game we have had as far as taking halftime adjustments and putting them into play,” said Kelly coach Matthew Blissett. “A lot of times it goes in one ear and out the other but the girls were focused at halftime and wanted to win. They did a good job of implementing some changes. The whole team came out and did their thing. We played nine or 10 girls tonight and everyone played a role.”

Kelly's Jada Griggs (21) looks for a teammate during a 62-55 win over Chaffee in the third-place game of the Scott-Mississippi Tournament at Kelly High School on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Chaffee hit tough shots and led 16-11 at the end of the first quarter.

Kelly had a golden opportunity early, reaching the bonus with 5:07 left in the first quarter and 5:33 left in the second quarter.

However, hesitant shot selection prevented them from capitalizing on the potential free throw advantage, leaving to them trailing at halftime.

Kelly's Ava LeGrand (22) scores after grabbing an offensive rebound during a 62-55 win over Chaffee in the third-place game of the Scott-Mississippi Tournament at Kelly High School on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Recognizing a vulnerability in the Lady Devils’ 1-2-2 zone, the Lady Hawks opted for a second-half offensive shift, sending baseline drivers to exploit the high post weakness. This change aimed to draw defenders and potentially force the 1-2-2 to collapse and revert to a more familiar 2-3 zone.

The strategy proved immediate dividends, as Kelly erupted on a 13-3 run to open the second half, seizing a 41-33 advantage.

“We knew the high post was going to be the weakest,” Blissett said. “We just had to work, keep battling and depend on each other.”

Kelly's Kayleigh Holman (23) shoots during a 62-55 win over Chaffee in the third-place game of the Scott-Mississippi Tournament at Kelly High School on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Chaffee fought back within 44-43 heading into the fourth quarter, where they continued its momentum, tying the game at 47-47 a short time later after a steal and score by Addison Uhrhan.

Kelly answered immediately with a free throw to retake the lead. But the Lady Devils weren't done yet. They regained the lead at 49-48 and extended it to 53-48 in less than a minute after scores from Carlyanne Cossou and Zoe Bentley, putting Kelly in a precarious position with about five minutes left in the game.

Refusing to buckle under pressure, the Lady Hawks responded with a clutch three-pointer from Macy Burger.

Kelly's bench celebrates during a 62-55 win over Chaffee in the third-place game of the Scott-Mississippi Tournament at Kelly High School on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

This timely shot, silencing the Chaffee momentum, proved pivotal in stopping the Lady Devils from pulling away.

Jada Griggs' determined drive through contact, followed by a converted free throw, gave Kelly a narrow 54-53 lead with 2:48 left in the game.

These offensive contributions may have been the game's decisive moments.

Kelly's Kristin Grogan (3) shoots during a 62-55 win over Chaffee in the third-place game of the Scott-Mississippi Tournament at Kelly High School on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Not content with a one-point edge, Griggs muscled her way inside once more, extending the lead to 56-53.

Kelly had weathered the storm, solidifying the lead to 60-55 courtesy of Burger's free throws, before holding Chaffee scoreless in the final minute.

“[Burger] deserves some recognition,” Blissett said. “She stepped up big when [Chaffee] went to a man-to-man defense at the end of the game. She created some easy looks in transition and controlled the pace of the game, doing what a point guard is supposed to do.”

Griggs and Ava LeGrand shared the scoring lead for Kelly with 14 points apiece, while Kristin Grogan chipped in 12 and Burger added 10.

“[LeGrand] was a workhorse,” Blissett said. “That is the Ava I have been looking for all year. She’s a great backbone to this team. It’s great having a player like that.”

Chaffee's Bailey Robertson paced the team with a game-high 15 points.

“It was a great back-and-forth game,” said Chaffee coach Matt Schonhoff. “Our girls fought extremely hard. We got into some foul trouble and it stretched us thin a little bit but our bench came in and did a fantastic job. We attacked in the second half and took the lead, but there at the end, they were on the right side of the run and we were on the wrong side.”

Kelly travels to Charleston (1-11) while Chaffee hosts Scott County Central (7-9) on Monday, Jan. 29.

__KELLY 62, CHAFFEE 55__

Chaffee 16 14 13 12 — 55

Kelly 11 17 16 18 — 62

Chaffee (55) — Bailey Robertson 15, Kierston Arnold 9, Malinah Robertson 8, Addison Uhrhan 7, Zoe Bently 6, Carlyanne Cossou 6, Kaylyan Tuttleton 4. FG: 20. FT: 11-22. F: 26. (3-pointers: Robertson 3, Robertson 1. Fouled out: None).

Kelly (62) — Ava LeGrand 14, Jada Griggs 14, Kristin Grogan 12, Macy Burger 10, Kayleigh Holman 4, Lola Pattengill 3, Brooke Dirnberger 3, Gwen Essner 2. FG: 22. FT: 14-30. F: 19. (3-pointers: Burger 2, Grogan 1, Griggs 1. Fouled out: None).