The Webster County ABA youth leagues concluded this weekend with the season ending WCABA tournament. Clay hosted championship games for all leagues on Saturday. The Girls Training league division featured the #2 seed lady Dragons from Dixon (7-3), against the #1 seed home team lady Jets (10-0). The girls of Dixon advanced to the championship winning the nail-biter semi-final game against Sebree on Monday night. Clay advanced with a convincing win against Providence (27-0) on Thursday night. The two teams met last on January 11 at Sebree in the regular season finale for both, with Clay winning 15-6.
 |
|
On Saturday each team was primed and ready to claim the county title. Clay jumped on top first with an old fashion 3-point play from Sydney Shoulders, as she finished the game with a triple nickel (5 points, 5 steals and 5 rebounds). Madison Hinton connected on two free throws and another field goal in the first quarter, and finished with a game high 10 points. Gracie Thomas sparked the defense with 3 of her 5 steals, and Kendalyn Morris pulled 2 of her 3 rebounds in the first period. Emily Braden had 3 steals and 3 of her 5 total rebounds and also scored a free throw to complete the scoring for Clay. Mary Rakestraw scored Dixon’s first 2 points, closing the score 8-2 at the end of the first quarter. Addison Smith claim off the bench and connected on her first basket in the second quarter, going 4 of 6 from the floor for the game, and finishing with 8 total points. Charity Short came in the give some fresh defense for the lady Jets and pulled 2 rebounds and 2 steals to help immediately. Clay lead at the half 12-5 after a Maggie Jones free throw and a Brooke Shepherd basket for Dixon. Rakestraw and Jones both connected with a free throw each in the third pushing Dixon’s score to 7 in the third, but Smith bettered the effort scoring all four of Clay’s points in the quarter, making the score to 16-7 at the end of three. Hinton had 4 points in the fourth and with Smith’s two final points, they closed the quarter with a 6-0 shut-out. Clay finished with a final score of 22-7 to claim the county title. The young lady Jets of Clay completed an undefeated season to earn the first place season championship t-shirt, and the first place tournament trophy.
