Kelly rides explosive fourth quarter to win over Meadow Heights, berth in Lady Devils Invitational championship

CHAFFEE, Mo. — After three-quarters of back-and-forth action the top-seeded Kelly Hawks exploded for 27 fourth-quarter points to knock off fifth-seeded Meadow Heights on Monday at Chaffee High School to advance to the Lady Devils Invitational championship.

Leading 38-32 entering the final quarter, the Hawks (2-1) held Meadow Heights (3-2) to just seven fourth-quarter points to run away with a 65-39 victory.

"I think we came out and made some really good adjustments at the start of the second half," Kelly coach Matthew Blissett said. "We knew their posts were big and strong, so we didn't underestimate how big and strong they really were. After those adjustments in the second half, we really took off and played well."

Kelly's Kristin Grogan (3) shoots during a win over Meadow Heights in the Chaffee Tournament on Monday, Dec. 4. (J.C. Reeve/Special to the Standard-Democrat)

Blissett credited his team's offensive energy and defensive effort as the key to the Hawks' dominant fourth-quarter performance.

"We put a lot of energy into the offensive end. We started moving it better, our shooters got open and we caught fire," Blissett said. "But defensively, I think that's what won us the game. We went back into our trap on defense and we just worked our butts off. We covered the high post, got them to our traps, got a few steals in transition and it really took off from there."

Kelly senior Kristin Grogan took over the game in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 of her game-high 31 points in the period. Grogan made 12 field goals in the game — three from 3-point range — and went 4-for-5 at the free throw line.

"She's a powerhouse on the offensive and defensive ends," Blissett said. "She's a hard worker and she really goes out there and does what she can at all times. It's awesome to have a player like that on your team. She shows up leadership-wise, too. I think she's really stepped up in leading the team."

Joining Grogan in double-figures for the Hawks was fellow senior Kayleigh Holman who added 10 points, including two 3s. Kelly scored 27 of its 65 points from beyond the arc.

Meadow Heights senior Rachel Hellebusch led the Panthers offensively with 20 points. Hellebusch hit eight field goals and went 4-for-5 from the charity stripe in a losing effort. Senior Cheyenne Tonjum also reached double figures for the Panthers, scoring 12 points.

"Everything goes around Rachel. She plays well, and I think we've got a chance if she has a little bit of help," Meadow Heights coach Tim Winkler said. "The Tonjum girl does a great job of getting her that help. ... But everything revolves around Rachel, and I think she's like 58 points away from 1,000 now, so we'd like to get that taken care of and put it behind her."

With the victory, Kelly advances to the tournament's title game at 7:30 p.m. Thursday where the Hawks will have a shot at redemption against third-seeded Woodland. The Cardinals defeated Kelly on the road 51-48 on November 30.

"We've got to come in focused," Blissett said. "We've got to have a good one Tuesday, a good one Wednesday and stay ready."

The Panthers move on to face second-seeded Scott City for third place at 6 p.m. Thursday.

"I think these girls will bounce back," Winkler said. "I don't think I have to do much to motivate them to do that. ... I think they're going to come out here and they want to prove people prove to people that, 'Yeah, things got away from us at the end of this one, but we're better than that.' We want to show that Thursday night."