Delta cruises past Chaffee in Scott-Mississippi Semifinal

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — For the third consecutive season Delta will play for a Scott-Mississippi Conference Championship.

The Ladycats (16-2) will look to defend their crown after advancing to the title game with a 70-35 semifinal victory over Chaffee (11-6) on Monday, Jan. 23.

“We played hard,” said Delta coach David Heeb. “We’re battling through a lot of injuries right now, and our effort was off the charts.”

Delta's Jade Berry (2) goes up for layup during a 70-35 win over Chaffee in the Scott-Mississippi Conference Semifinals on Monday, Jan. 23. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Addison Nichols and Jade Berry led the team with 23 and 22, respectively, and rose to the occasion under some difficult circumstances.

Delta finished the first quarter with a 21-2 advantage after its pressure and speed allowed the team to build an early cushion.

The teams were much more competitive in the second quarter. The Ladycats led 37-14 at halftime after Addison Nichols made a shot at the buzzer that was assisted by Olivia Wagoner.

Delta's Allie Hampton (12) pressures a ballhandler during a 70-35 win over Chaffee in the Scott-Mississippi Conference Semifinals on Monday, Jan. 23. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“All of our unsung heroes are stepping up right now,” Heeb said. “We have been preaching that some others are going to have to step up, and the whole team is doing it. I’m proud of this whole unit because everybody is trying to do more.”

Chaffee had an impressive stretch to end the third quarter, scoring 10 unanswered points to narrow the lead to 45-27.

“Chaffee made a good run,” Heeb said. “We made one little tweak in our press and the kids did a great job. That’s basketball; the other team is only to make a run. It’s all about how you respond to it and I thought our kids did a great job.”

Delta's Sierra Berry (2) shoots a 3-pointer during a 70-35 win over Chaffee in the Scott-Mississippi Conference Semifinals on Monday, Jan. 23. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Delta finished the game strongly and inflicted a running clock in the final minutes.

The final score wasn’t nearly as lop-sided as the 97-21 whipping the Ladycats gave the Lady Devils to open the season.

“[Chaffee] has gotten a lot better since the beginning of the season,” Heeb said.

Delta's Grace Aneell (22) drives to the bucket during a 70-35 win over Chaffee in the Scott-Mississippi Conference Semifinals on Monday, Jan. 23. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Delta will take on Oran (13-6) in the title game at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26.

“Right we’re learning how to win when we’re not out our full octane offensively,” Heeb said. “Our rebounding and defense have gotten better because it has to be right now, and the experience some of these girls are gaining will pay dividends when we’re back to full strength. But right now, everybody has to chip away and find a way to make one or two more plays. If we add all that up, it’s enough to win.”

__DELTA 70, CHAFFEE 35__

Chaffee 2 12 13 8 — 35

Delta 21 16 8 25 — 70

__Chaffee (35) —__ Ayne Held 19, Zoe Bentley 7, Rayne Held 6, Hailey Rains 3. FG: 12. FT: 7-13. F: 18. (3-pointers: Ayne Held 3, Rains 1. Fouled out: none.)

__Delta (70) —__ Addison Nichols 23, Jade Berry 22, Olivia Wagoner 16, Allie Hampton 4, Sierra Berry 3, Grace Aneell 2. FG: 30. FT: 5-15. F: 10. (3-pointers: Jade Berry 3, Nichols 2. Fouled out: none.)

QUARTERFINALS

__DELTA 96, EAST PRAIRIE 15__

East Prairie 6 2 4 3 — 15

Delta 20 22 26 18 — 96

__East Prairie (15) —__ Tori Stinnett 4, Katie Brewer 4, Kadyn Hall 3, Krisen Berry 2, Chloe Jackson 2. FG: 7. FT: 1-5. F: 7. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none.)

__Delta (96) — __Jade Berry 27, Trinity Vandeven 14, Olivia Wagoner 14, Sierrra Berry 10, Addison Nichols 8, Teriana Crowden 6, Grace Aneell 5. FG: 43. FT: 3-6. F: 8. (3-pointers: Jade Berry 5, Corwden 2. Fouled out: none.)

__CHAFFEE 51, KELLY 42__

Kelly 9 19 5 9 — 42

Chaffee 9 13 17 12 — 51

__Kelly (42) —__ Kristen Grogan 24, Kayleigh Holman 13, Jenna Essner 2, Aleya King 2, Lola Pattengill 1. FG: 13. FT: 15-18. F: 11. (3-pointers: Homan 1. Fouled out: none.)

__Chaffee (51) — __Ayne Held 20, Rayne Held 13, Malinah Robertson 9, Hailey Rains 7, Zoe Bentley 2. FG: 21. FT: 5-8. F: 15. (3-pointers: Ayne Held 3, Rains 1. Fouled out: none.)