Both the Thayer Lady Bobcats and the Alton Lady Comets played in the Class 2 District 2 Semifinals on February 21, 2024, in Van Buren, Missouri. Thayer went up against the Neelyville Tigers, and Alton went up against the East Carter Redbirds. Both teams lost, with Thayer losing 68-65 in overtime, and Alton losing 66-58.
Thayer
Thayer scored the first points against Neelyville. Abby Bowers of the Bobcats was key in the first half with several three-pointers. At the end of the first quarter, Thayer was leading 12-8. Josyln Tucker also made two three-pointers late in the second quarter as well as Riley Pierce. Pierce made her three-pointer with just under :15 in the half. At halftime, the score was 28-20, with Thayer leading.
Continued Close Game
The game continued to be close in the second half, with Thayer keeping the lead until around three minutes in the game. As the game continued to go on, the teams were constantly within two points of each other. At the end of the fourth quarter, the game was tied 50-50.
Overtime
The two teams played four extra minutes in overtime. With about two minutes in overtime, both teams hit their five team fouls. The lead went back and forth between Thayer and Neelyville. With :12 in overtime, the game was tied 65-65, and it looked like they would go into another overtime. With around :04 in overtime, Neelyville made the buzzer-beater three-pointer for the win. Both teams played well, but Neelyville took the win 68-65, and will move on to the finals on Friday.
Alton
Alton took the court next with the East Carter Redbirds. For the first four minutes of the game, East Carter was leading and Alton hadn’t scored yet. McKenzie Smith of the Comets got the first points on the board for her team. The score at the end of the first quarter was 19-6, with East Carter leading. Evin Montgomery of the Comets hit a three-pointer early in the second quarter. At halftime, the Comets went from fourteen points behind to three points behind with the score being 32-29.
Second Half
Both teams continued to make steals and three-pointers in the second half. Right before the third quarter closed out, Montgomery made some points to put her team ten points behind. The score at the end of the third quarter was 55-45, with East Carter still leading. With 1:40 in the game, after Evin Montgomery made another three-pointer, Alton was down six points. Although Alton tried to get ahead and get the win, they were unable to do so. The East Carter Redbirds won 66-58.
Other Teams
The only other teams in Oregon County that are still in the districts now are the Thayer Bobcats and Couch Indians who will play tonight in their respective district semifinals at 6:00 pm and at 5:30 pm respectively.
