Community Girls Head to Class 1 Quarterfinals, Cairo Boys Fall in Heartbreaker to St. Elizabeth

The top-ranked Community girls and fourth-ranked St. Elizabeth boys earned sectional wins at Harrisburg Tuesday.

Cairo lost to St. Elizabeth 46-44 in the second contest. Bearcat senior Jayden Warren threatened the Hornets late.

Eric Duick with the calls on Glory 97 and centralmoinfo.com. Warren pulled fifth-ranked Cairo within one with a minute and half left. The 24-5 Bearcats later trailed 46-44 with possession and 20 seconds to play, but Warren missed a desperation three in the final seconds. Head coach Nic Zenker analyzed the last offensive possession.

Cairo led 20-15 at half and trailed 31-30 after three. St. Elizabeth returned all five starters from a third place team, including four starters at least 6’2” and three at least 6’4”. But Zenker’s Bearcats played much of the night on their terms.

Warren paced Cairo with 10. St. Elizabeth sits 23-5 with zero Class 1 losses ahead of Friday’s quarterfinal against Meadville.

The Community Lady Trojans defeated Chamois 61-39 in the girls sectional. Community held a 15-6 lead after the first quarter and gradually separated from the Lady Pirates. Community saw a spike in fouls over the course of the game defending Chamois guards Katie Keilholz and Makenna Wuelling. Lady Trojan coach Bob Curtis said they were dealing with a fine line.

The two Chamois juniors combined for 31 of the 39 points for the 15-10 Lady Pirates. Senior Delaney Bowers’ guided Community with 16 points.

The Lady Trojans are now 27-1, which ties a program wins record with last year’s third place team. The will face Green City in a Class 1 quarterfinal rematch Friday evening at Fitzsimmons-John Arena at Moberly Area Community College.

Hear full postgame interviews from Zenker and Curtis below:

Community girls coach Bob Curtis:

Cairo boys coach Nic Zenker: