EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. – The Lady Tigers made quick trips up Highway 69 last week to compete in the annual Lawson Invitational, finishing the tournament 1–2 and placing fourth overall.
The Lady Tigers opened tournament play with a rematch against the Cameron Dragons, whom they had defeated 53–51 a week earlier. This time, the Lady Tigers controlled the game from the start, earning a 51–32 victory. They jumped out to an 11–2 lead early and extended it to 19–6 by the end of the first quarter. The Lady Tigers pushed the advantage to 29–7 before Cameron recorded its first field goal of the second quarter. A 32–15 halftime lead provided plenty of cushion, and a 17–2 third quarter effectively put the game away. Cameron picked up the pace in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to challenge the Lady Tigers.
Senior Josie Casler led all scorers with 16 points and added 11 rebounds for a double-double. Senior Bella Loeffert also finished in double figures with 14 points. Junior Lara Hutton scored eight points, while senior Kinley Rogers and sophomore Reese Ryuan each added five. Junior Jaedyn Wilkins scored two points, and senior Kayden Rogers contributed a free throw.
The semifinal matchup on January 15 went differently for the Lady Tigers, as they fell to the host Lawson Cardinals, 62–36. The Lady Tigers started strong, taking a 16–13 lead after the first quarter, but momentum shifted in the second. Lawson outscored the Lady Tigers 11–3 in the quarter to take a 24–19 lead into halftime. Both teams shot well in the third quarter, but the Cardinals extended their advantage to 44–33 heading into the fourth. The Lady Tigers struggled offensively in the final frame, scoring just three points as Lawson pulled away.
Kinley Rogers recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Casler added another double-double, finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The third-place game against the Odessa Lady Bulldogs on January 17 proved costly in the first and third quarters. Odessa built a 17–9 lead after the opening quarter. The two teams traded baskets in the second, each scoring 20 points, sending the Bulldogs into halftime with a 37–29 advantage. The Lady Tigers cut the deficit to 39–35 with 5:45 remaining in the third quarter, but that was as close as they would get. Odessa closed the quarter on a 16–5 run to take a 55–30 lead into the fourth on the way to a 64–51 win.
Casler led the Lady Tigers with 17 points, while Rogers scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Casler’s 46 total points across the three tournament games earned her a spot on the all-tournament team.
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