SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - It wasn't the ending the Jefferson City Lady Jays wanted.
But that ending, a 43-34 loss to the North Kansas City Hornets in the Class 5 state championship game Saturday night at JQH Arena, doesn't negate what was a memorable year for the Lady Jays.
"It was a great season, there's nothing to be ashamed of," Jefferson City coach Brad Conway said. "This was not indicative of the way we played this year or how we competed all year long."
Jefferson City set a school record for wins with 29 in matching the best state finish for the program as the Lady Jays spent the regular season atop the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association's state rankings
"It stings today, but tomorrow's a new day," Conway said. "It's part of life, you're going to have adversity, but you have to keep going. I know these seniors will keep going and do great things."
The Lady Jays had made a habit this postseason of getting out to great starts in games. Jefferson City jumped out to 7-0 leads in both its sectional and quarterfinal games and led 11-0 in Friday's semifinal victory.
But the tables got turned Saturday night. Jefferson City led 1-0 before North Kansas City scored the next 15 points to take a double-digit lead late in the first quarter.
Chandler Prater, who has signed with Kansas, hit three 3-pointers and finished the first quarter with 10 points.
"If I am feeling it and the defense is giving it to me, I'm going to take it," Prater said. "I just took what they gave me."
On the other end, the Lady Jays were just 1-of-9 from the field in the first quarter, which closed with the Hornets holding a 16-4 advantage.
"We had some good looks, the ball just went in and out," Conway said.
The Hornets allowed 40 or more points just once in its last six games starting with the district tournament.
"I think we all just had that dog mentality, like, 'You're not gonna score on us,'" North Kansas City's LaJahda Boyland said. "That's something we pride ourselves on."
Jefferson City did hit five shots in the second quarter, but was only able to cut the deficit to 26-16 at intermission.
Entering the game, a poor shooting performance was the thing Conway said he was "dreading."
"In the past we've always had one of those nights and we hadn't had one this year," he said.
During the season, Jefferson City could count on picking up some points in the transition game. But that didn't happen Saturday night as the Lady Jays didn't score off the fast break.
"They did a good job of getting back on defense," Conway said.
North Kansas City kept its double-digit lead through the third quarter, which ended with the Hornets leading 35-22. Jefferson City got as close as seven points in the fourth quarter, that coming in the final :15.
"It just wasn't our night," Conway said.
It was the final game for seniors Caitlin Anderson, Micah Linthacum, Greta Haarmann and Chloe Helming. Anderson will play collegiately at Indiana State, while Linthacum will join the Missouri Tigers. Helming will play at Westminster
Jefferson City will return Kara Daly, Hannah Nilges and Sarah Linthacum as starters next season as the Lady Jays will look for their fourth straight district championship and another berth in the state tournament.
"This team was fun to be around, a lot of unique personalities that got along well on and off the court," Conway said. "They worked, they did everything we asked them to do.
"It may be the best and most enjoyable team I've ever coached. I'm really proud of them."