The Rock Port High School girls’ basketball team brought home third place with their win over Northeast (Cairo). Pictured, from left to right, are: front row – Landrey Kelly, Tatum Vogler, Ella Meyerkorth, Alexis Stanton, and Jaylynn Jones; middle row – Raylynn Jenkins, Karlie Gebhards, Claire Miller, and Manager Harper Wood; and back row – Assistant Coach Kelcie Gaines, Stevie Gaines, Audrie Meyerkorth, Braylyn Wood, Leah Meyerkorth, Assistant Coach Gary Davis, and Head Coach Austin Alitz.
The Rock Port High School girls’ team punched their ticket to compete in the Final Four of the Class 1 Missouri Show-Me Showdown Championships in Columbia, Missouri, after winning the state quarterfinal game against Gilman City.
On Wednesday, March 11, they played their first game against Delta who was 26-4 on the season. It was a close game all the way through as the Jays battled back and forth with Delta. With just under four minutes, the Jays had a seven point lead, but Delta would go on a 17 point run and in the final minutes Rock Port was forced to start fouling to get possession of the ball. Unfortunately, Delta didn’t miss many of their free throws, expanding their lead to 67-55 as the final seconds ticked off.
Now it was time to regroup as they faced Northeast (Cairo) for the third place game on Thursday, March 12.
Rock Port would struggle to find their shot in the first quarter, scoring twice along with a free throw making the score 5-11 at the end of the first period.
The Jays would find their shot starting in the second period and they never let off the gas, winning 51-38 over Northeast (Cairo), who had beaten them last year in the first round of the Final Four.
This win tied the Lady Jays’ record for the best finish in the State Tournament with the team from 1981. This win also cemented their place in Rock Port R-II School history with the best overall record, topping the boys as well, with 29 wins and only three losses.
Congratulations, girls and coaches, on a great season!
Karlie Gebhards fights for the rebound on the defensive end of the court against Northeast (Cairo).
Braylyn Wood gets a rebound and takes it back up for two points against Northeast (Cairo).
Tatum Vogler brings the ball up the court as she gets by a Northeast (Cairo) defender.
Senior Ella Meyerkorth hits a jumper for two against Delta. Ella was selected to the Final Four All-Tournament Second Team.
Freshman Stevie Gaines powers up through a Northeast (Cairo) defender and gets the bucket and the foul. Stevie was selected to the Final Four All-Tournament Second Team.
Leah Meyerkorth, running point, looks inside for the open pass against Delta.
Audrie Meyerkorth flies down the lane against Northeast (Cairo) for two of her 26 points. Audrie was selected to the Final Four All-Tournament First Team.
The Rock Port cheerleaders kept the crowd going throughout the two-day Final Four Tournament. Pictured, from left to right, are Kinleigh Daugherty, Ellie Garst, Jacoby Driskell, Keira Roup, and Reese Herron.
