LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
The Mayo Lady Redbird girls basketball teams swept their crosstown rivals the Lady Eagles of Crestwood Thursday, Oct. 5 in Joe Whitacre Gym.
The game had the hallmarks of an all-time showdown – near capacity crowd, enthusiastic pep band and cheerleaders, and a barnburner of an eighth-grade game that came down to the last minutes.
In the seventh-grade game, Mayo took a 40-10 win with a balanced scoring attack. The eighth-grade game was a come-from-behind win for the Lady Redbirds, handing Crestwood its first loss of the season 31-29.
Mayo has a busy week coming up. They travel to Mattoon Monday, Oct. 9, and Robinson Oct. 10 for an LEIC contest before returning home Thursday, Oct. 12, to face Jasper County (Newton) in another LEIC game.
Crestwood is hosting one of the top junior high girls programs at 10 a.m. today when the Teutopolis girls visit. Tuscola comes to Crestwood on Tuesday, Oct. 10, with tipoff at 6 p.m.
Thanks to Zack Hollingsworth and Diepholz Auto, the first 150 people at Thursday’s game were admitted free.
MAYO 40, CRESTWOOD 10
A balanced scoring attack and good defense were the difference in the seventh-grade game as the Lady Redbirds took the win 40-10.
Mayo limited Crestwood’s scoring machine Lexi Crippes to only four points in the game. Meanwhile, Mayo had three players score eight points each, one with seven and another with six to pace the win.
Mayo led 13-4 at the end of the first quarter and 27-6 at halftime. The Lady Redbirds held Crestwood to four points in the second half while scoring 13 to take the victory.
Ava Tarr, Hellie Barrett and Adalee Morris each scored eight points to lead Mayo. Tarr hit a basket and two threes while Barrett netted four baskets and Morris scored three baskets at two for four at the free throw line.
Sloan Vilk was right behind with seven points including a three-pointer.
Leah Sanders added six points and Maddox Adams rounded out the scoring for Mayo with three points.
Lexi Crippes and Ashlynn Hansel led Crestwood’s scoring with four points each.
Kyndall Fuqua had two points, hitting a perfect two for two at the free throw line.
MAYO 31, CRESTWOOD 29
No one really knew what to expect in Thursday’s eighth-grade rivalry game. The Lady Eagles were undefeated and not challenged thus far this season.
Mayo, meanwhile, depends on its core seventh-grade players to bolster the Lady Redbird eighth-grade team.
Both teams started slow, with Mayo leading 5-4 after the first six minutes of play. The opening period was physical and fast-paced, but both teams struggled to convert at the rim.
Crestwood finally found its offense in the second quarter, utilizing half-court pressure to force turnovers and earn fast break opportunities. Crestwood outscored Mayo 10-3 to take a 14-8 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Crestwood came out in the third quarter cold on the offensive end, allowing a regrouped Mayo squad to get back in the game. The Lady Redbirds outscored the Lady Eagles 11-3 in that quarter to take a slim 19-17 lead going into the final quarter of play.
In the fourth quarter, each team scored 12 points, bringing about the final score of 31-29.
Seventh-grader Maddox Adams was the leading scorer for Mayo, hitting four threes for 12 points. Natileigh Bridgewater added seven points while Ava Tarr had five and Adalee Morris netted four. Sloan Vilk added a basket.
Paedyn Keys led the scoring for Crestwood with 10 points, hitting four baskets and two for four from the free-throw line. Pailynne Camp added nine points including one three and three baskets. Sadie Sallee scored two baskets and was one for four from the foul line for five points. Lexi Crippes added three points while Kayleigh Miller netted two.