Hot-handed Kelly melts Oak Ridge 69-55

OAK RIDGE, Mo. — The recent snow days have everyone shivering, but Kelly thawed out in a hurry with a 69-55 win at Oak Ridge on Thursday, Jan. 18.

Depth proved the difference, as the Lady Hawks (8-6) turned up the temperature using a balanced and multifaceted attack to roast the Bluejays (9-8) in the Scott-Mississippi Conference clash.

“Today was a good opportunity to shake off the rust that we have from all the snow,” said Kelly coach Matthew Blissett. “It's hard when you're taking out of routine but the girls got better as the game went along and we were able to show off our depth. We have girls who can light it up from anywhere on the floor, and when everyone clicks and finds a consistent rhythm, we'll be a solid threat.”

Kelly's Kristin Grogan (3) defends Oak Ridge's Jayleigh Price (1) on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Kelly started slow, falling behind 10-5 as Oak Ridge's Madyson Ruehling single-handedly ignited the offense with all ten points.

However, Kristin Grogan’s free throws and Macy Burger’s 3-pointer quickly erased the deficit, pushing the Lady Hawks ahead 11-10.

Jada Griggs, refusing to let the Bluejays regain their footing, muscled her way inside for a bucket, stretching the lead to 13-10. The defensive intensity escalated for both teams following the Griggs’ score, resulting in two scoreless minutes to close the opening quarter.

Kelly's Macy Burger (10) reads the defense during a 69-55 win at Oak Ridge on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“The balanced scoring just helps to show our depth,” Blissett said. “From the beginning of the year, I've been telling the girls that we have the deepest roster around and everyone can contribute uniquely. Slowly but surely we're moving in the right direction and with a lot of games coming up I expect us to look like a new team come district time. I was happy to see everyone on the team excel in some way.”

Kayleigh Holman sparked Kelly's second-quarter surge, burying a 3-pointer and finishing a fastbreak layup on back-to-back possessions to push the lead to 24-14 with 5:22 left in the half.

Despite conceding size, the Lady Hawks’ defensive hustle and rotations neutralized the Bluejays’ physical advantage, sputtering the offense with pressure, resulting in a 32-22 halftime lead.

Kelly's Ava LeGrand (22) is fouled during a 69-55 win at Oak Ridge on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

"It took us a while to get warmed up,” Blissett said. “I'd like the girls to be more aggressive from the jump, and I’d like more pressure and aggressiveness out of them, but we started to force some turnovers and get some more possessions out of it.”

Like snowflakes turning into raindrops, Kelly's shots kept splashing through the nets, widening the lead to 15 points a couple of minutes into the second half after Gwenn Essner’s 3-pointer on an assist from Holman. Grogan added another triple to the Lady Hawks' hot shooting display in the third quarter, helping them maintain their advantage and finish the frame with a comfortable 50-38 lead.

Kelly closed the game decisively, denying Oak Ridge any momentum in the final quarter. Burger's late 3-pointer solidified the dominance, increasing the lead to 69-49.

Oak Ridge's Jayleigh Price (1) blocks a shot during a 69-55 loss to Kelly on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Notably, the Lady Hawks drilled 10 3-pointers in the game and boasted four players in double figures: Grogan (16), Holman (15), Griggs (14), and Essner (11).

“Coming into this game, I just wanted to see our identity shine through,” Blissett concluded. “The system's still new, so polish wasn't the priority. But game after game, I see the wheels turning. We're getting there, one step at a time."

Kelly, the No. 2 seed in the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament, faces No. 7 seed East Prairie (3-9) Saturday on its home court, tip-off at 12:30 p.m.

Despite Reagan Howe's 25 points and Ruehling's 21, Oak Ridge couldn't keep pace with Kelly's balanced attack and will now look to regroup as the No. 5 seed in the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament, facing No. 4 seed Chaffee (7-6) on Saturday at 11:15 a.m.

__KELLY 69, OAK RIDGE 55__

Kelly 13 19 18 19 — 69

Oak Ridge 10 12 16 17 — 55

Kelly (69) — Kristin Grogan 16, Kayleigh Holman 15, Jada Griggs 14, Gwen Essner 11, Macy Burger 6, Lola Pattengill 5, Paige Klipfel 2. FG: 24. FT: 11-16. F: 22. (3-pointers: Grogan 3, Burger 2, Essner 2, Holman 2, Pattengill 1. Fouled out: None).

Oak Ridge (55) — Reagan Howe 25, Madyson Ruehling 21, Jayleigh Price 4, Hayley Hahs 4, Reese Morrison 1. FG: 21. FT: 13-26. F: 15. (3-pointers: None. Fouled out: None).