Scott County comes up short

WEST PLAINS, Mo. -- In a matchup of outside shooting versus post play, Chadwick's interior presence won out in a 52-48 victory against Scott County Central in a Class 1 girls quarterfinal Saturday at the West Plains Civic Center.

Chadwick's 6-foot freshman, Misty Bettis, was the difference for the Cardinals. She scored 21 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter.

Scott County countered with nine 3-pointers in the game, including four apiece from Brittany Godwin and Janet Penrod, but simply could not handle Chadwick's size.

The game was back and forth throughout with neither team leading by more than six points after halftime. While the Bravettes (14-10) led several times in the second half, they were not able to apply the press that was so affective in the sectional round.

Scott County was in foul trouble throughout the game and with a thin bench, coach Semona Penrod had to ease up.

"I knew if we couldn't press the entire game we would have problems," Penrod said. "I didn't feel like they allowed us to press. Every little touch was a foul."

The Bravettes still had their chances late in the game. After falling behind 49-42 with 2:25 left in the fourth quarter, Scott County scored six straight points.

Bettis was fouled on Chadwick's next possession, and went to the free-throw line with 31 seconds remaining. Bettis hit the first and missed the second, leaving Scott County down 50-48, but the Bravettes turned the ball over on a long pass off the miss. Chadwick added another free throw, and Janet Penrod missed a late 3-point attempt for the tie.

"I'm really proud of them," Semona Penrod said. "They worked hard and stayed after it until the buzzer sounded."

Chadwick (22-7) led 8-0 in the first quarter before Scott County used a 7-0 run to trim the lead down to one.

Chadwick guard Jessi Pierce, who finished with 14 points, hit four 3-pointers in the first half, including three in the second quarter as Chadwick built a 19-10 lead. Scott County bounced back to within one, 23-22, at halftime as Jennifer Hoots scored seven points.

"Turnovers were the major thing that killed us," Penrod said. "Turnovers, and we didn't shoot very well."

Janet Penrod led Scott County with 18 points, Godwin had 16 and Hoots scored 10.

Scott County only went to the line seven times, connecting on three attempts. Chadwick went to the line 25 times, hitting 12 attempts.

"We took more outside shots than they did," Penrod said. "We probably should have taken it to the hole more."

Chadwick 52, Scott County Central 49

Chadwick 10 13 11 18 -- 52

Scott Co. 7 15 13 13 -- 48

CHADWICK (52) -- Misty Bettis 21, Jessi Pierce 14, Amanda Workman 6, Cassie Lewis 6, Courtney Jones 5. FG 18, FT 12-25, F 9 (3-pointers: Pierce 4. Fouled out: none)

SCOTT COUNTY (48) -- Janet Penrod 18, Brittany Godwin 16, Jennifer Hoots 10, Ashley Hoots 2, Brittney Peet 2. FG 17, FT 3-7, F 20 (3-pointers: Penrod 4, Godwin 4, J. Hoots 1. Fouled out: Peet)