Mercer girls pass Southwest test, advance to quarterfinal showdown with rival Jefferson

The Mercer – Jefferson saga, built upon numerous postseason meetings over the past eight years, has one more chapter to be written, as the Lady Cardinals and Lady Eagles took Class 1 sectional victories on Tuesday evening at the St. Joseph Civic Arena.

The Mercer Lady Cardinals received a brilliant first-half performance from senior Bailey Owens, who connected for 18 points and a trio of three-point shots, in a 53-36 victory over Southwest Livingston.  Owens finished with 25 points, pushing Mercer’s record to 27-1.  Lindsay Wyatt had 16 points for the HDC champions.

The defense from Mercer played a key part in the win, with Southwest All-State forward Kaylie Campbell held to 10 points, while junior guard Kortlyn Rounkles had a team-high 21.  Southwest finishes the year at 18-9.

The #1 ranked Lady Cardinals will play Jefferson on Friday night at 7:45 from the St. Joseph Civic Arena, on KTTN FM 92.3.  Jefferson dominated the second half of the late night sectional game with King City, outscoring the Lady Wildkats 30-15 after the break for a 46-32 win.

The Mercer – Jefferson winner advances to the state semifinals on Thursday, March 9th at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

The boys sectionals, played on Tuesday from the Civic Arena, saw the Worth County Tigers beat the Braymer Bobcats, 52-43, while the North Andrew Cardinals fended off a strong challenge by Jefferson to win 55-50.  The Tigers and Cardinals will play in the Class 1 state quarterfinals on Friday night at 6 o’clock from St. Joseph.

The Meadville boys and Green City girls have advanced to Class 1 quarterfinal action on Saturday night at Salisbury High School, after winning sectionals played on Tuesday night at Chillicothe High School.

The Eagles took a 56-49 victory over Linn County, while the Lady Gophers upset 4th-ranked CLAA champion Norborne 52-43.

Meadville, on Saturday night, will take on perennial power Glasgow from Salisbury, with Green City playing for a spot in Columbia against Prairie Home.  Glasgow beat Chamois 46-34 while Prairie Home downed Madison 42-41 on Tuesday night.

Other Class 1 sectional results were:

BOYS:

Advance 79, Scott County Central 60

Eminence 75, Bradleyville 69

Walnut Grove 69, Montrose 51

Hermitage 69, Green Ridge 53

GIRLS:

Scott County Central 54, Delta 24

South Iron 74, Couch 60

Walnut Grove 59, Bronaugh 25

Leeton 63, Wheatland 54