Lady Mt'neers make it three district titles in a row

If you look at the final scores, it appears an easy road through the Class 3 District 12 girl''s basketball tournament for the Mt. Vernon girl's basketball team, as the average victory margin was a whopping 36 points. The Lady Mt'neers defeated Diamond 72-26 in the first round, won the semi-final contest against El Dorado Springs 53-18 and then defeated the host Seneca Lady Indians in the championship 55-28.
In the semi-final win, Caitlin Hicks led Mt. Vernon in scoring with 19 points, followed by nine for Lacy Stokes.
The championship game against Seneca belonged to the Lady Mt'neers from the very first minute, as Mt. Vernon jumped on top early, scoring the game's first seven points and led 9-2 after the first quarter.
With a stifling full-court press, which forced 19 turnovers in the game,Mt. Vernon allowed just six points in the entire first half, as they took a 19-6 lead into the locker room at the half.
Caitlin Hicks scored 10 of her game-high 21 points in the third quarter to propel Mt. Vernon to a 38-19 lead after three quarters.
Mt. Vernon went on a 9-0 run mid-way through the fourth quarter to seal the win and this group's third consecutive district championship.
After Hicks' 21 points to lead the way to the win, Cameron Call and Lacy Stokes each added 10 points.
The Lady Mt'neers will take on Strafford in the Class 3 State Sectionals on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Willard High School. The game is scheduled to tip at 7:45 p.m.