Saxony Lutheran, Oran, Scott County Central girls basketball teams advance at Delta New Year's Tournament

Top-seeded Saxony Lutheran launched its bid for a fourth consecutive Delta New Year's Tournament title with a 73-20 victory over eighth-seeded Meadow Heights on Monday night.

Brianna Mueller led the way with 14 points for the Crusaders, who improved to 8-2. Grace Mirly, who had six assists, and Tess Daniel, who had four steals, each added 12 points. Maddie Brune led the way on the boards with 10 rebounds.

Sammantha Miles paced Meadow Heights (0-10) with 10 points.

Saxony Lutheran, which won the recent Kelso Supply Holiday Classic, will face the Woodland-St. Vincent winner in the semifinals at 7 p.m. today.

Today's other semifinal will feature No. 2 Oran and No. 3 Scott County Central at 8:30 p.m.

Oran remained unbeaten with a 66-25 win over host Delta, the No. 7 seed, while Scott County Central disposed of No. 6 Puxico 60-36.

Freshman Leah Cauble scored 24 points to pace Oran (8-0), while Ashlyn McIntosh finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Jessie Long added six rebounds and five steals.

Macey Smith led Delta (3-7) with 13 points.

In Scott County Central's win, sophomore Johneisha Daniel spearheaded the Bravettes (7-3) with 23 points, while LaQuisha Strickland added 11 points.

Katelyn Pierre netted 14 points for Puxico (4-4).

In today's consolation semifinals, Meadow Heights and Woodland-St. Vincent loser will meet at 4 p.m., while Delta and Puxico will face off at 5:30 p.m.

The championship of tournament is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Delta New Year's Tournament

Saxony Lutheran 73, Meadow Heights 20

Meadow Heights 6 2 10 2 -- 20

Saxony Lutheran 19 20 19 15 -- 73

MEADOW HEIGHTS (20) -- Abi Bristow 2, Sarah Bristow 2, Sammantha Miles 10, Jacque Starkey 2, Mayzie Thompson 4. FG 10, FT 0-0, F 12 (3-pointers: None. Fouled out: None.)

SAXONY LUTHERAN (73) -- Courtney Kester 2, Grace Mirly 12, Laurel Mueller 5, Ali Galemmo 6, Heather Wills 2, Brianna Mueller 14, Tess Daniel 12, Ashlynn Collier 4, Masyn McWilliam 8, Callie Brown 6, Maddie Brune 2. FG 26, FT 12-18, F 6 (3-pointers: B. Mueller 2, Mirly. Fouled out: None.)

Scott County Central 60, Puxico 36

Puxico 5 11 8 12 -- 36

SCC 13 13 17 17 -- 60

PUXICO (36) -- Sophia Hancock 11, Kambryn Collard 5, Katelyn Pierre 14, Faith Oliver 6. FG 12, FT 6-11, F 9 (3-pointers: Collard, Oliver. Fouled out: None.)

SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL (60) -- Trinity Thomas 6, LaQuisha Strickland 11, Hailey Kesler 16, Johneisha Daniel 23, Maddison Avance 4. FG 21, FT 6-13, F 11 (3-pointers: Kesler 3, Strickland. Fouled out: None.)

Oran 66, Delta 25

Delta 2 10 11 2 -- 25

Oran 14 24 15 13 -- 66

DELTA (25) -- Tamera Crowden 5, Carrie Waddle 4, Erin Bond 2, Macey Smith 13, Kiley Wicker 1. FG 9, FT 1-5, F 18 (3-pointers: Crowden, Smith. Fouled out: None.)

ORAN (66) -- Brianna Stause 9, Tatum May 6, Ashlyn McIntosh 15, Leah Cauble 24, Jessie Long 5, Hannah Scherer 1, Claire Ramsey 5, Erin Schlitt 1. FG 19, FT 22-30, F 7 (3-pointers: Stause, Cauble. Fouled out: None.)

-- From staff reports