Big Fourth Quarter Carries El Dorado Springs Past Centralia in Class 3 Semifinal

Photo courtesy of Colin Schowe, Alpha Media Moberly

The El Dorado Springs Lady Bulldogs opened the fourth quarter with a 17-0 run to rally past the Centralia Lady Panthers 52-41 in a Class 3 Semifinal Friday at Mizzou Arena. The Lady Panthers led for the majority of the first three quarters. Ryenn Gordon was the catalyst for Centralia’s offense including in a low-scoring third quarter.

Colin Schowe with the call on KTCM 97.3 and centralmoinfo.com. A pair of Morgan Ross free throws made it 32-26 heading into the fourth quarter. The Lady Bulldogs’ run came quickly in the fourth with Tenlie Steward providing the go-ahead basket.

The Lady Bulldogs went on to outscore the Lady Panthers 26-9 in the final frame to advance to their third straight state championship game. Abi Schmidt scored 10 of her 12 points in the fourth quarter for Eldo. McKinli Mays led them with 14 points while Neely Schaaf added 13. Centralia coach Megan Brinkmann discussed the difference in the fourth quarter.

Gordon led the Lady Panthers with 15 points while Shelby Lewis added eight points and 10 rebounds in the defeat. Brinkmann praised her team’s effort against the top-ranked team in Class 3.

Centralia drops to 25-5 and will face St. Pius X of Festus Saturday in the Class 3 Third Place Game. Pregame coverage will begin at 11:45 am on KTCM 97.3 and centralmoinfo.com Colin Schowe and Steven Findley Jr. will have the call.

Centralia coach Megan Brinkmann