LADY WILDCATS’ UPSET RUN ENDS Seneca defeats Cassville for district title, 50-22

BY KYLE TROUTMAN editor@cassville-democrat.com

The Cinderella run of the Cassville girls basketball team came to an abrupt end on Friday, as the Lady Wildcats fell in the district championship game.

Cassville, the No. 6 seed in the Class 4, District 12 Tournament, had upset No. 3 East Newton and No. 2 Mt. Vernon, leaving only No. 1 Seneca remaining.

However, the Lady Indians proved to be too much, knocking off the underdog in a 50-22 contest.

Seneca jumped out to a 7-0 lead, then after a Cassville timeout, went on another 7-2 run. The Lady Indians’ relentless pressure caused multiple turnovers, on which they capitalized.

Cassville took another timeout at 5:43 in the first quarter, and the Lady Wildcats got their legs.

A technical call on Seneca put Riley Morris on the line for a total of four shots. She made half to bring the score to 20-7. In the second quarter, Sharayah Seymour had an energizing series, stealing a pass into the paint and hitting a 3-pointer, then pulling off another steal and hitting a layup.

Seneca, however, closed the half with a steal and bucket to go up 32-16.

In the second half, the Lady Wildcats attempted to get rolling, but every time they did, Seneca would match them and more.

Reed Smith, Cassville girls basketball coach, said going into the game, he knew this outcome was a possibility.

“I felt the girls were ready mentally,

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