It is high school basket ball tournament time in Mid-Missouri. All five schools high schools covered by The Advertiser are participating in area tournaments.

It was hoped that the tournaments would all look more normal this year, but it turns out that is not always the case. The boys’ side of the Harrisburg tournament will certainly have a different flavor as only five teams are able to compete. Due to that problem, each boys team will play two games. Currently, all boys games are scheduled  to be played at the high school gym. The Fayette Falcons were set to face Centralia at 6 p.m. With Hallsville playing Fulton at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening after The Advertiser went to press.

On Thursday, Harrisburg will take on Centralia at 6 p.m. Fayette will matchup against Hallsville in the nightcap at 7:30.  

The boys’ side will wrap up on Saturday with Harrisburg going against Fulton at 2:30 p.m.

Mexico girls-43

Fayette girls-18

Going against Class 4 Mexico, the No. 2 seed, coach Brian Spielbauer’s Lady Falcons knew they were going to be facing a tougher opponent than they were accustomed to on Monday night. The Lady Falcons, seeded seventh, played  much tougher than the final score of 43-18 would indicate. With a never-say-die attitude, Fayette continued to fight until the final buzzer, scoring nine of its 18 points in the final quarter.

Mexico came on strong in the first putting up 12 points to Fayette’s two. The Lady Bulldogs continued to pour it on in the second outscoring Fayette 17-4 making the score 29-6 at the half. The third quarter was more of the same ending with the score 39-8.

Fayette finished strong, however, winning the final stanza 10-4 to make the final 43-18.

Senior Sydney Spielbauer and freshman Lasaydra Jackman each put in four points for Fayette. Junior Hannah Quint, sophomores Addison Powell, Kay Sullivan, and Maddox Wells, along with freshman Melissa Innes, each contributed two apiece.

The Lady Falcons will take on sixth-seeded Fulton tonight at 6 p.m. In the Harrisburg middle school gym.

Linn girls-53

Harrisburg girls-52

The No. 4 seeded Harrisburg Lady Bulldogs never quit in the 53-52 heartbreaking loss loss to fifth-seeded Linn on Monday. Down by eight in the third quarter, the Lady Bulldogs fought until the last second when Linn was able to connect on a 3-point buzzer beater for the win.

In a back-and-forth battle, the two teams exchanged leads throughout the game with Linn up 13-10 at the end of the first quarter and Harrisburg leading 25-21 at the end of the half. 

By the end of the third, Linn had opened  up a five-point lead at 38-33 to open the door for the exciting fourth. 

Harrisburg outscored Linn in the final period 19-15 and went ahead with just seconds to go, 52-50, when Linn junior Aushara Hostetler hit the 3-pointer to sink the Lady Bulldogs.

Junior Carli Ellis led the Lady Bulldogs with 16 points on the night. Classmate Brecca Thornhill put up 15. 

Freshman Macie Ellis contributed eight points while junior Charlea Winscott hit for six. Sophomore Emma Fischer put up four. Sophomore Abby Rosson rounded out the scoring for Harrisburg with two.

Harrisburg will face the eight seed, Tolton, tonight at 6 p.m.

New Franklin girls-67

New Bloomfield girls-65

In another tight game the New Franklin Lady Bulldogs pulled off a 67-65 win against New Bloomfield in the Sturgeon Tournament Monday night.

Down 19-11 at the end of the first quarter, the Lady Bulldogs fought back to within two at the half going into the locker room down 34-32.

New Bloomfield pulled ahead 53-46 by the end of the third quarter only to have New Franklin take the lead in the fourth quarter and win 67-65.

Senior Abby Maupin led the Lady Bulldogs with 15 points. Junior Carly Dorson contributed 12. 

Freshman Kebrea Fair put up 10 while junior Emma Rice added eight.

Senior Kristen Flick added seven. Junior Addy Salmon contributed six while classmate Kelsi Fair put up five. Freshman Brynn Belstle rounded out the Lady Bulldog scoring with two.

New Franklin moves on  to face a familiar foe in 14-1 Community tonight (Wednesday).