Kelly girls basketball team uses strong second half to defeat Scott County Central

MORLEY, Mo. -- Kelly girls basketball coach Rod McQuerter wants his team playing its best basketball heading into postseason play.

If Monday's game was any indication, his Hawks are right on schedule.

Kelly outscored Scott County Central 12-5 in the third quarter, breaking open a tight game and coasting to a hard-fought, 57-49 road victory to improve to 15-8 on the season.

"The girls came out with a real positive attitude," McQuerter said. "I told them if they keep a good, positive attitude, good things will happen."

The Hawks trailed 29-27 at halftime, but they turned up the defensive pressure in the third quarter and continued to attack the basket offensively. The result? Kelly was 6 of 17 from the field in the period while limiting the Bravettes to 2-of-15 shooting. The Hawks also forced five turnovers in the period, which helped turn the two-point deficit into a 39-34 lead entering the final period.

A 5-0 run to open the fourth gave Kelly a 44-34 lead, and the Hawks never looked back.

"This is our 15th win this year," McQuerter said. "Who thought that would happen at the beginning of the year? But we still have a couple games to go."

Kelly got strong play from guard Morgan LeDure (14 points, eight steals) and Tessa Johnson (11 points), as well as forward Stephanie Worth (11 points, 13 rebounds) and center Logan Ivie (14 points, 13 rebounds).

"Credit her teammates," McQuerter said about Ivie's performance. "They were looking for her."

Ivie was instrumental in Kelly's 8-2 run to end the third period, scoring four points, including a nice basket inside off an inbound pass to give Kelly a five-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

"Just post up and go to the basket," Ivie said. "We've been practicing a lot harder, becoming more of a team. We're playing together really well."

Scott County coach Matt Limbaugh noted Ivie's play as well.

"She was huge for Kelly -- literally," he said. "She's very strong. We had problems trying to put a body on her. She's been giving teams fits lately, and I can see why."

The Bravettes (13-7) were missing two starters, but Limbaugh refused to use that as an excuse, noting his squad failed to match Kelly's intensity during the second half.

"Kelly came out and played extremely well," Limbaugh said. "Their pressure defense in the second half caused a lot of turnovers, and that got the momentum really going for Kelly."

Derien Ditto scored 11 points in the first half for Scott County Central but was held to just one free throw in the second half before fouling out late.

"I'm really proud of the girls' effort," Limbaugh said. "Kelly is a good team and they are playing extremely well right now. I wouldn't be surprised if they do well in the districts."

Mikaela Blissett led the Bravettes with a game-high 28 points.

Kelly 12 15 12 18 -- 57

SCC 13 16 5 15 -- 49

KELLY (57) -- Samantha Ratledge 2, Morgan LeDure 14, Tessa Johnson 11, Stephanie Worth 11, Tori Duenne 2, Payton Jones 3, Logan Ivie 14. FG: 23. FT: 9-16. Total fouls: 18. (3-pointers: LeDure 2. Fouled out: none.)

SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL (49) -- Mikaela Blissett 28, Nastassia Williams 3, Darien Ditto 12, Abby Ross 3, Adira White 3. FG: 18. FT: 11-21. Total fouls: 13. (3-pointers: Williams 1, Ross 1. Fouled out: Ditto.)