Wellsville — Wellsville High's 12th-annual girls basketball tournament is called the Top Gun Invitational, and there was no bigger top-gunner than Anderson County's Lexee McDonnell on Thursday night.
The senior poured in 36 points to lead the fourth-seeded Bulldogs over top-seeded and previously unbeaten Ottawa, 66-64, at WHS.
"I love that kid," said Anderson County coach Doug North. "She just tied the ropes on tight tonight and carried the team on her back."
McDonnell, a forward/guard, scored 18 points in the first half as she tried to keep the Bulldogs (7-7) within reach of the Cyclones (11-1).
But it was her play down the stretch that erased a late deficit and gave ACHS its biggest victory of the season and a berth in Saturday night's championship game against Baldwin, which defeated Kansas City Piper, 58-33, in the other semifinal.
"We're really happy," McDonnell said. "We weren't really expecting this. We can't dwell on it, though. Now we have to get ready for Saturday."
For most of the third and fourth quarters, it looked as if the Bulldogs would be preparing for the earlier third-place game on Saturday after Ottawa broke a 45-all tie with 2:22 left in the third and jumped to a 53-46 advantage midway through the fourth.
But as soon as Ottawa's Jayme Vance's layin went through the net to give the Cyclones a seven-point lead, North called a timeout.
North's strategy seemed to work. The Bulldogs came out poised after the stoppage and immediately went inside to McDonnell for a basket.
A minute later, junior Ashli Bowman hit a three-pointer to cut Ottawa's lead to two, 53-51.
On the next trip for the Bulldogs, Bowman banged in another goal, giving Anderson County the lead. McDonnell added a basket to put ACHS up by three.
But the lead would be short-lived. The teams traded baskets before the Cyclones managed to tie the score with :35 seconds left when Vance scored down low.
With 18 seconds remaining Kelsi Suderman hit her lone field goal of the night, a quick shot inside, which turned out to be the game-winner.
The Cyclones had a chance to tie, but Vance made only one of two free throws before McDonnell added a charity for good measure.
"We're going to get everybody's best shot," Ottawa coach Cliff McCullough said. "And Lexee just did what she can do."
Anderson County 66, Ottawa 64
ANDERSON COUNTY (66)
Jill Fursman 2 2-3 6, Rachel Rockers 2 0-2 4, Ashli Bowman 5 0-0 14, Lexee McDonnell 14 6-8 36, Kelli Bunnel 1 0-0 2, Kelsi Suderman 1 2-2 4. Totals 25 10-15 66.
OTTAWA (64)
Liz Burks 3 1-4 7, Katie Sheffield 3 5-6 13, Jenny Heck 1 0-0 2, Jayme Vance 5 1-2 11, Lindsey Dieterich 9 0-0 20, Kristin Kay 1 0-0 2, Kathryn Sylvester 4 1-2 9. Totals 26 8-14 64.
Anderson Co. (7-7) 18 14 13 2166
Ottawa (11-1) 19 16 14 1564
Three-point goals Anderson Co. 6 (Bowman 4, McDonnell 2), Ottawa 4 (Dieterich 2, Sheffield 2). Total fouls Anderson Co.10, Ottawa 17.
Baldwin 58, KC Piper 33
The second semifinal was far from intriguing and was all but over after the first quarter, as Baldwin went on a 16-0 run to open the game.
The Bulldogs led by 31 at the half and cruised to their 10th victory of the season.
Sophomore Emily Brown scored a game-high 15 points while senior Collen Kivett added 14 points for Baldwin.
"I told them we wanted to be playing late Saturday night," BHS coach Eric Toot said. "And they responded immediately out of the gates."
Baldwin 58, KC Piper 33
KC PIPER (33)
Ashley Randle 5 1-2 11, Ashley Boczek 0 0-2 0, Kathy Kiblinger 4 0-0 9, Caitlin Marcano 0 0-1 0, Amy Hollander 1 0-0 2, Amanda Woolley 1 0-1 2, Melissa Green 2 0-0 4, Ashely Sanders 1 1-5 3, Angie Mullens 1 0-0 2. Totals 15 2-11 33.
BALDWIN (58)
Anna Skaggs 2 0-2 5, Anna Gillispie 0 2-2 2, Katie Martin 0 0-1 0, Kayla Pringle 3 1-2 8, Jodie Bacon 2 2-3 6, Colleen Kivett 6 1-1 14, Casey Millstein 1 1-2 3, Emily Brown 6 3-5 15, Leslie Gillispie 1 0-0 3, Kalie Harris 1 0-1 2. Totals 22 10-19 58.
KC Piper (5-6) 2 4 12 1533
Baldwin (10-2) 16 21 11 1058
Three-point goals KC Piper 1 (Kiblinger), Baldwin 4 (Skaggs, Pringle, Kivett, Gillispie). Total fouls KC Piper 15, Baldwin 15.
Eudora 43, Wellsville 39
A late Eudora defensive stand and some timely free throws gave the Cardinals the victory.
Jill Woodward scored a game-high 16 points while Wellsville's Amanda Pearce and Lacey Roecker combined for 17.
"This is the first time this season we've outshot our opponents on the free-throw line," Eudora coach Gretchen Schreiner said of her team's 17-of-30 effort. "It feels good, and it definitely helps you win."
Eudora 43, Wellsville 39
WELLSVILLE (39)
Kerrie Higbie 0 2-2 2, Amanda Pearce 4 0-0 9, Michelle Moss 1 2-2 4, Kimberly Hughes 3 0-0 7, Dani Patton 2 2-6 6, Wendy Moore 1 1-2 3, Lacey Roecker 3 2-2 8. Totals 14 9-14 39.
EUDORA (43)
Rachel Abel 0 0-2 0, Sarah Katzfey 2 2-2 6, Brandi Abel 2 3-4 7, Mallorie Cleveland 1 4-6 6, Lauren Kracl 3 2-7 8, Jill Woodward 5 6-9 16. Totals 13 17-30 43.
Wellsville (4-9) 6 16 8 939
Eudora (4-7) 6 7 17 1343
Three-point goals Wellsville 2 (Pearce, Hughes), Eudora 0. Total fouls Wellsville 20, Eudora 15.
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