Schools

Westminster Disappointed by Performance in State Semifinals

Wilcats lose to Smithville 47-37. To play in the third-place game with St. Louis' Miller Career Academy.

Columbia--The Westminster Christian Academy team came to Mizzou Arena with high expectations. What they got in the semifinals with Smithville in Class 4 was a disappointing loss.

The Wildcats can count the ways. The taller, more physical Westminster team was out maneuvered often by Smithfield, who goes into the title game with a 27-5 mark.

"It was a tough game. We just never got into the flow," said Westminster coach Steve Stipanovich.

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Smithville made last year's final 4 and was able to capitalize on that experience.

The game stayed at pretty much a 10 and 11 point lead for Smithville in the final 16 minutes. The Wildcats made a late run, cutting the lead to three, 37-34. For a moment it looked like an unlikely hero would step up. Senior Alexis Grasse, averaging just 3.5 points per game hit a layup and free throw to inch within three.

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The bottom fell out when Smithville star Madison Nelson stole the ball and went coast-to-coast  for a break-a-way layup and a 41-35 lead. Accurate free throw shooting by Nelson and Paige Imhoff sealed the deal.

Smithville coach Trevor Mosby had it pretty much figured out. "Our goal was stopping their big girl Sadie Stipanovich. "We knew their bench was not deep and we leaned and pushed on her to wear her down."

It worked. Stipanovich scored 13 points in the game, though she had a game-high 13 rebounds.

"We're just not a good come-from-behind team. We made good decisions and hit free throws when they counted the most," said Mosby.

"You got to give it to them. They are a very good team. They played well down the stretch and remained very calm," said the Westminster coach.

"They are a lot like Principia. They feature five good players who can run and cut and execute very well," said Stipanovich.

Courtney Powell, senior captain took the lose in stride. "No matter the outcome, we feel blessed just to be have been here."

Powell led Westminster scoring with 14 points. Nelson was high for Smithville with 17 and Paige Imhoff added 11.

The box score said everything. Westminster shot a paltry 26.7 percent from the field. Smithville shot 57.7 percent.

Smithville will meet Republic later this evening for the championship of Class 4. Republic beat Miller Career Academy 56-49 in the other Class 4 semifinal game.


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