First district championship since'99

The Willow Springs Lady Bears are the Class 3 District 9 champions after defeating the Thayer Lady Bobcats 66-60.

 

According to Athletic Director Robert James the last time a district champion was won by the girls basketball program was 1998-1999.

 

"To win districts this year is just amazing," began Head Coach David Cox. "This group has been working towards this for the past three years, and to see all their work and effort rewarded is just awesome. I am so honored to be able to be on this journey with this group of young ladies. We are making some memories that will be with us for the rest of our lives and I cannot wait to make some more this week."

 

“Congratulations to Coach Cox, Coach Earls, all of our Lady Bears and their families," stated AD James. "This girls basketball district championship  is our first since 1998-99. This team was resilient and determined from the start of the game. They played for each other, and got it done vs a very good Thayer Lady Bobcat team. We are so proud of them as a school district.   Our girls are outstanding student-athletes who deserve this along with our community’s support. In what I consider to be one the best clutch performances in a big game I have seen in a long time. Chloe Jones poured in 38 points in the win, but none bigger than her two late in the fourth quarter 3-point baskets to put the game out of reach for the lady bobcats. I am hopeful many young girls in our elementary school are seeing what this team has accomplished and dream one day of wearing the Lady Bears jersey!”

 

The Lady Bears ended their regular season with a 19-6 record. The Lady Bears defeated the Licking Lady Wildcats on Wednesday, Feb. 25 in Houston, Mo. by a score of 53-37. The win over the Thayer Lady Bobcats set the season record at 21-6.

 

The Lady Bears will play the Sparta Lady Trojans (14-14) on Monday, March 2 in Cabool, Mo. for the sectional game in the Class 3 State Tournament at 6:00 p.m.