The Rock Port girls punched their ticket to the final four with a double overtime win against Santa Fe. Following the game, the team and their cheering section got together for a group photo.
Corbyn Jakub nails a three against Braymer.
Logan Ellis hits a three against Braymer. Logan had 13 points on the night.
Brock Holmes slices down the lane for two. Brock would finish with 10 points against Braymer.
Jack Meyerkorth drives to the basket and gets two of his 17 points against Braymer.
Reid Ellis sets out and hits a three to keep the Jays in the game against Braymer.
Karlie Gebhards gets her arms up and played some tough defense against Santa Fe.
Avery Meyerkorth drives the lane and gets the foul. Avery would finish with 11 points against Santa Fe.
Addy Maifeld sees an open lane and drives past Addison Mullins of Santa Fe. Addy would hit the first shot to tie the game and send it to the first overtime.
On a fast break Ella Meyerkorth drives hard to the basket. Ella would finish with 15 points against Santa Fe.
Audrie Meyerkorth drops three of her 43 points for the game against Santa Fe. Audrie was clutch in the final seconds of the first overtime as she hit a 12 footer to tie the game.
Braylyn Wood stretches to get a hand in Emma Michael’s face as she takes a shot.
It was a big weekend for the Blue Jay basketball teams as the boys played Braymer and the girls played Santa Fe in the quarterfinals of state basketball. Both Rock Port teams drew the home court advantage after playing District and Sectional games on the road.
On Friday night, the Rock Port boys played Braymer, who were 16-10 on the season. The game was a battle from the beginning with neither team getting more than a few points ahead of the other. At halftime the score was 20-23, Braymer.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Rock Port had its chance after Jack Meyerkorth hit a three to make the score 52-53. Braymer would inbound the ball and make a bad pass to Jack Meyerkorth. Jack took it up the court and passed to Logan Ellis, who drove the lane and put up a shot that was no good. With no foul called on the shot, Braymer rebounded the ball and then was fouled sending them to the line for two shots with 1.3 seconds remaining. The first shot was good, but the second one came off right side where Jack was able to get the ball and throw up a shot that came up short ending Rock Port’s season.
The Rock Port girls had a similar battle as the two teams would exchange baskets throughout the game. At halftime, the score was tied at 35 points.
With 1:16 left in regulation, the score was 59-61 Santa Fe. Santa Fe would do their best to play keep away from the Jays as they moved the ball around the top of the key. With 1:01 left, Santa Fe would go back to the line to make it 59-62 after only making one of the two free throws. The Jays inbounded the ball and Audrie Meyerkorth would hit a three to tie the game at 62 with 47.1 seconds left on the clock. Santa Fe brought the ball down the court and ran the clock down to 29.4 seconds. Coming out of a time-out, Santa Fe would drive the lane but miss the shot. Avery Meyerkorth and Santa Fe’s Emma Michael would both come down with the ball and the possession arrow went to Rock Port.
Now, with 15 seconds left, the Jays moved the ball back up the court for one last-second shot, but the shot was no good, sending the game into overtime, knotted at 62.
Four minutes were put on the clock and overtime was started with a new jump ball. The Chiefs shot a pair of free throws and Ella Meyerkorth hit a 2-point bucket. Santa Fe went back to the line for two. Audrie answered with a 2-point bucket. Santa Fe hit one of two free throws, making the score 66-67. With 25.1 seconds left, Santa Fe was back at the line making one of two. Addy Maifeld caught a loose ball and answered with a 2-point bucket with 4 seconds left in overtime. As the final seconds ticked down, the first overtime was tied at 68.
In the second overtime, Santa Fe would only score one point and Rock Port went 7 for 8 with free throws from Audrie Meyerkorth, Addy Maifeld, and Avery Meyerkorth to win the game and advance the Lady Jays to the Final Four for the first time since 1981. The Rock Port Lady Blue Jays will compete in Class 1 State semi-final basketball action against Northeast (Cairo) at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri, Friday, March 14, at 8:00 p.m. A Blue Jay win will have them playing on Saturday, March 15, at 8:00 p.m. If the Lady Jays lose, they will play Saturday, March 15, at 2:00 p.m. You may watch the games on MSHSAA TV for a small fee.
Community members who would like to cheer on our Final 4 Bound Girls’ Basketball Team can join in the celebration at the pep assembly at 3:10 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at the school. Then cheer them on as they head out of town at 8:50 a.m. Friday, March 14, on Main Street (Highway 111).
