Blue Springs Ends St. Joe's Hopes For State Title

Columbia, Mo...The 3-point shot has been a big part of the St. Joseph's Academy offensive arsenal all season.

The Angels shot 37 percent for the season, converting 153 treys, 81 of them by Maddie Stock.

But the long range shot was missing Friday against Blue Springs in the Class 5 semifinals at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

The Angels did not make one until the final three minutes of the game as the Wildcats prevailed 61-43.

Sydney Stipanovich was the prime offensive option for the Angels with the lack of outside shooting. She was very effective when she was on the court. The problem was she was not on the court often.

The 6-foot-3 junior scored eight of the 10 Angel points in the first quarter. She was held to one in the second quarter and St. Joe's trailed 26-20 at halftime.

She picked up her fourth foul, an offensive foul, with 6:11 to play in the third quarter. The Wildcats took advantage, taking the ball to the hole and scoring a lot of paint points.

St. Joe's was still within striking distance as Erin Nelson hit a late field goal in the third quarter to cut the Blue Springs lead to eight going into the fourth quarter.

Stipanovich was reinserted to start the fourth quarter and hit a quick field goal. But then she picked up her fifth foul, fouling out with 6:59 to play.

"Our number one goal coming into the game was to attack the basket and get Sydney Stipanovich in foul trouble," Blue Springs coach Mark Spigarelli said. "We knew she was going to block some shots, she has been averaging seven or eight a game."

It was only the second time that Stipanovich had fouled out of a game this season.

"Sydney is such a difference maker for us," St. Joe's coach Julie Matheny said. "She has good body control and good eye-hand coordination."

It was only the second time all season that the Angels, who are averaging almost 65 points a game, were held under 50 points.

"I have been on the other side where the ball is just not falling for the other team," Matheny said. "Blue Springs played great defense. Our open looks were very limited and we rushed shots because of that."

St. Joe's shot just 36.2 percent for the game and made just two of 14 of its 3-point attempts.

"That is as good as we can play defensively," Spigarelli said. "St. Joe's has a very explosive team and our defensive intensity was super. I was so proud of the girls. They played their best game on the biggest stage and did it after a week which was as difficult as any I have faced in my 20 years (the Wildcats dismissed standout Azia Washington from the team)."

Blue Springs hopes that the third time is a charm as it makes its third consecutive trip to the Class 5 championship game. The Wildcats have lost the last two years, falling to Nixa in 2009 and Incarnate Word last year.

St. Joe's needs to regroup for the third place game which will be held Saturday at 1:15 p.m. in Columbia.