Abigail Davenport's shooting performance leads Cape Central to victory over Festus

The Cape Central Tigers girls basketball team defeated the Festus Tigers 68-62 in the Class 5 District 1 Tournament on Thursday, March 6, at Cape Central High School.

Abigail Davenport led the Tigers with 35 points, while Jamie Dawson-Ide added 18. Davenport sank a school record 10 3s on 71% shooting. The 10 3s is tied for 12th on the all-time Missouri record list.

Davenport credited her teammates for the win, but said she was feeling it from beyond the arc.

“I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and all the chemistry we’ve built over the years,” Davenport said. “It’s the flow of the game, it really is. Sometimes when you’re hot, you’re hot.”

The fans went crazy every time Davenport shot and hit a 3. She said the fans and, especially, her family being in attendance meant a lot to her.

“They’re super supportive. I know they’re gonna support me no matter what, whether I have three points or 35,” Davenport said.

Through the first quarter, the teams traded baskets with three of Davenport’s 3s giving Cape Central momentum despite trailing 19-18.

In the second, Cape’s defense improved, and the Tigers built a 10-point lead with three more triples to lead 38-28 at the half.

Cape Central head coach Summer McCauley-Perdue said Davenport was huge for the upset win over No. 2 Festus.

“She was amazing. She actually has been on a roll the last four to five games. She’s been averaging about 20 points,” McCauley-Perdue said. “I told her, ‘You’re a shooter, all you gotta do is shoot with confidence.’ I gave her the green light.”

Festus closed the gap to three points near the end of the third quarter, but an 8-2 run by Central gave them a nine-point advantage to lead 54-45 entering the final frame.

Festus again made the game close, but Cape locked in and chased down loose balls, outrebounded Festus and shot free throws well enough to hold on for the win.

McCauley-Perdue said no matter what happens next, she’s proud of her team and what it has accomplished this season.

“I am extremely proud. I think we exceeded the expectations because it definitely was a building year,” McCauley-Perdue said. “They bought in and they didn’t push back, so next year is really going to be awesome.”

Cape Central will take on Farmington at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 8, in a semifinal matchup at Cape Central High School.