Donettes pass the test: Doniphan shakes off cold start to make LRCC finals

BROSELEY — The Doniphan Donettes are one step closer to being crowned the Lady Royals Christmas Classic champions.

The Neelyville Lady Tigers needed to limit all mistakes in the fourth quarter while taking on an undefeated Doniphan squad. Despite the fight, the Donettes keep their perfect record rolling with a 43-37 win to earn a spot in the finals.

The Donettes got a boost from freshmen guards Carsyn Hagood and Ellie White, who led the team with 12 points apiece.

“I feel like it was a very successful win for us,” White said. “I know it meant a lot to beat them because they’re really one of our biggest competitors. The last time we played them, we definitely did very well — but this time it was a little difficult, but we got the job done.”

As a freshman, White said she must get comfortable playing with the varsity and learn how to keep her composure through everything. She said when it comes to making an impact for the team, her defense will speak volumes for the Donettes.

The Donettes entered the semifinal matchup holding a seven-game winning streak over Neelyville — but to keep it going, they needed to pull out all the tricks.

The intensity was high from the tipoff, and there wasn’t an empty seat in the stands. Both teams took each possession seriously, as neither team wanted to give up the edge for the lead.

The Lady Tigers managed to jump out front early and took a 17-13 lead after the first quarter. While both teams relied on high-pressured defense, the Lady Tigers would be the team to execute off the Donettes’ turnovers.

The Donettes had yet to answer for the Lady Tigers in the first quarter, but quickly found their rhythm. Though the series of turnovers would switch over to Neelyville, it wouldn’t be enough for the Donettes to take the lead, and Neelyville headed into halftime leading 24-20.

The Donettes found themselves in an unfamiliar territory by being the trailing team. Normally, the Donettes have managed to put most of their opponents away in the first half, but this matchup would not be the same.

The game shifted at the end of the third quarter as the Donettes found themselves at the free throw line from a Neelyvile technical foul. Doniphan got its first taste of the lead with a 3-pointer from Kenna Kirby to give the Donettes a 36-33 lead at the end of the third.

With a chance to extend the lead, the Donettes didn’t pull any punches as they held their composure in the game’s final minutes to escape with the victory.

Doniphan’s Madilyn Redus contributed to the Donettes’ win with six points, while Sarah Owen added five and Makenna Kirby had four.

Doniphan head coach Adam Epps said it wasn’t the prettiest win, but the job got done.

“We did not play our best game and Neelyville was not missing at the beginning. We knew they would come out with a lot of energy,” Epps said. “We did a couple little uncharacteristic things out there. We’ll take care of that in practice, but I’m glad we escaped. Our little freshmen played their butts off tonight, and I’m really proud of them. We’ll be playing another good team in the final, and we have to play better than we did against Neelyville.”

Jade Crosswhite led the Lady Tigers with 12 points, and Layni Dobbins chipped in with 10.

The Donettes will play in the final on Saturday against the winner of East Carter and Kennett, while Neelyville will play for the third place.