Stokes shines again as Lady Mt’neers go dancing

Mt. Vernon girls headed to Final Four after overcoming double digit defi cit to Blair Oaks Lady Falcons
 
The Mt. Vernon Lady Mt’neers rallied from an 11-point defi cit, Saturday, to top the visiting Blair Oaks Lady Falcons in a quarterfinal win that now sends them to the state Final Four this weekend. The victory, only decided in the final seconds, included second half three-point shooting heroics from senior Lacy Stokes in front of a near packed auditorium. Mt. Vernon jumped out early lead over the Jefferson City squad, thanks to a three-point bomb from senior Ellie Johnston on the Lady Mt’neers first possession of the game. A series of turnovers let the Lady Falcons tie the game at seven apiece late in the first quarter. A Blair Oaks three by Mallorie Fick sent Mt. Vernon into the second quarter down, 11-8.
The second stanza belonged to a third Mt. Vernon senior, Lisa Kruger. The transfer from Linn, was a beast on defense holding 6-foot freshman Autumn Bax to only two points in the first half. Kruger was also a force on the offensive end, as well, collecting seven points in the quarter.
Johnston was also able to capitalize with another three ball, but it was Blair Oak’s Bailey Rissmiller who led the Falcons to a 26-20 lead at
the half.
Being down at half is unfamiliar for the Lady Mt’neers, but they have found themselves in that situation the last couple games including the sectional game vs Ava.
“Ava helped us prepare for what a close game looks like. I feel like if we didn’t have the close game in Ava, we wouldn’t have been mentally or physically ready for the second half today,” Kruger said following the game.
The Lady Mt’neers had work to do in the second half, and they started quickly as Stokes got a floater to go early in the third quarter to bring the lead down to 33-24 with 5:53 left. Mt. Vernon then went on a run where Stokes was nearly unstoppable, hitting two three-balls in consecutive possessions to give Mt. Vernon the lead, 36- 35, with two minutes left in the quarter.
The ensuing possession Blair Oaks got a pair of free throws to take the lead back. Stokes then hit her third three-pointer of the quarter to give the Lady Mt’neers the 39-37 lead going into the final quarter of play.
Blair Oaks’ Fick got things going with her fourth three on the opening possession of the final quarter of play to put the Lady Falcons back up, 41-39. A pair of buckets from the two teams put the Lady Falcons up 44-42 with about five minutes to play. Mt. Vernon got Kruger another bucket off a bullet pass from Raegan Boswell. The Lady Falcons turned the ball over and sent Lady Mt’neer Cameryn Cassity to the free throw line to put Mt. Vernon back in the lead, with 4:15 to play. A free throw from Stokes gave Mt. Vernon a two-point lead with three minutes remaining.
Final minute
With a two-point lead, the Lady Mt’neers held the ball for nearly two minutes until Johnston got sent to the free throw line with 1:01 left. Johnston was unable to convert the front end of the one-and-one, and Blair Oaks took possession. The Lady Falcons held the ball until nine seconds remained, when Bax got fouled, and went to the line. She hit the first free throw, pulling her team within one point, 46-45. However, she missed the second one, which started a rugby- style scrum for the loose ball. Cassity recovered the ball and kicked it out to Stokes as time expired, allowing the Lady Mt’neers to punch their ticket to the Final Four.
Scoring
Fick led the way for Blair Oaks with 18 points, including four three-balls. Autumn Bax was behind her with 10. Stokes led the Lady Mt’neers with 19. Lisa Kruger had 10 in her big day for Mt. Vernon, while Ellie Johnston had eight.
Dreams becoming a reality
All season long the Lady Mt’neers have been working towards the Show-Me Showdown. However, they were at a loss for words when their dreams became a reality.
“I am speechless. I am so proud of all of us and our coaches,” Johnston said following the win.
Teammate Kruger was pleased with her season and how it took shape for the team newcomer.
“This feels amazing. I never thought I would be here. I didn’t know what my role was going to be on this team coming in, but I’m so happy the girls really took me in, and I was able to play a big role in where we are going,” she said.
Senior Stokes was thankful for every player on the team who came to play.
“I love these girls. They are my best friends,” Stokes said of her teammates.
“Usually, it’s the seniors that have the sense of urgency this time of year, but these sophomores and juniors want it just as bad as us.”
Historic success
Mt. Vernon standout seniors Johnston and Stokes will leave Mt’neer country as one of the most successful classes in Lady Mt’neer history. Coming into Saturdays quarterfinal contest, they were 101-18 with four district championships in their four years. The Lady Mt’neers haven’t advanced past the sectional round since their state championship in 2012. With their win over Ava in the sectional game, Wednesday, March 10, 53-49, they conquered the first hurdle in their championship aspirations.
Next up:
Mt. Vernon will be in action at 6 p.m. Friday on the Missouri State campus taking on Vashon out of St. Louis. A win will send them to the state championship game Saturday, at 4 p.m.
A defeat will put the Mt. Vernon team in the third place game at 10 a.m. Saturday.