Lady Spartans Stay Unbeaten in the NCMC, Moberly Boys Fall Late

Photo Courtesy of Colin Schowe, Alpha Media Moberly, MO

The varsity basketball doubleheader between Moberly and Hannibal featured both games coming down to the final minutes.

In the girls’ game, Moberly survived a late Hannibal rally to win 64-60. The Lady Spartans jumped out to a 24-8 lead in the first quarter. Hannibal answered with a 13-0 run to get back in the game. The Lady Pirates then held a pair of brief leads in the third quarter before Moberly seemed to take control building a 60-50 lead in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter. However, Hannibal responded with a 10-0 run with Nora Hark providing the tying score with under two minutes to go.

Colin Schowe with the call on KWIX AM-FM and centralmoinnfo.com. The tie was short-lived as Grace Billington provided an immediate response.

Billington added a pair of free throws down the stretch and the Lady Spartan defense stood tall at the end to grab a victory. Billington scored 15 of her 18 points in the second half. Asa Fanning racked-up 17 of her game-high 22 points in the first half for the Lady Spartans. Coach Tony Vestal said they have a luxury with three go-to scorers.

Messer finished the game with twelve points. Hannibal was led by Kyliah French and Mariah Mayfield with 13 points apiece. Moberly improves 11-7 overall and 4-0 in the NCMC The Lady Pirates drop to 12-6 overall and 3-3 in conference play.

In the boys’ game, Hannibal scored the final five points of the third quarter and then outscored Moberly 16-8 in the final frame to win 60-51. The Spartans held a 43-41 in the final seconds of the third quarter when the momentum swung in the other direction.

CJ Anderson and Mason Hull led the Pirates with 18 points apiece. Derieus Wallace led all scorers with 20 points for the Spartans. Ty Rucker scored six of Moberly’s eight points in the final quarter and finished with twelve. Coach Brett Boyer said turnovers hurt down the stretch.