Nobody was expecting to see perfection Thursday night, but it was an intriguing matchup between the Blair Oaks Lady Falcons and the Jefferson City Lady Jays, two programs coming off state quarterfinal appearances.
The 18-minute scrimmage - divided into three periods - ended in a tie at 26 during the Helias Jamboree at Helias Gym. No win, no loss, but most importantly for the Lady Falcons, it was learning experience.
"This is always a good opportunity to not practice against yourself, to play somebody different," Blair Oaks coach Brandon Moore said. "It's your first assessment tool.
"Even though it ended in a tie, there's still some good takeaways, and we can see where our weaknesses are."
Moore said the Lady Falcons are working on being a little more unpredictable offensively.
"Using some of the ball-screen sets we have, just really going out and playing," he added. "Reversing the basketball, trying to find some opportunities to score the ball naturally throughout the game, instead of being more robotic."
The 3-point shot was there in the early going for Blair Oaks. Kadence Kliegel made a pair of 3s and Mallorie Fick added another from long range to build a 12-6 advantage against the Lady Jays.
"We're really trying to get the reps behind the arc," Moore said.
The scrimmage also gave the Lady Falcons an opportunity to work against a team with a strong post presence. Hannah Linthacum, a junior who committed earlier this fall to play for Missouri, led Jefferson City with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
"We had some good defensive possessions as well," Moore said. "I thought we played Linthacum pretty physical inside a little bit, but there were times we lost her, which we have to clean that up."
The offense was also stagnant at times for Blair Oaks, which led 14-8 after one period and only had two field goals in the next nine minutes of play. Jefferson City led 20-18 after two periods and was ahead by as many as four points in the third.
Fick led Blair Oaks with eight points, making a pair of free throws and another 3 to put the Lady Falcons ahead 26-25 with 1:40 to play.
"We've got to put the ball in her hands as much as we can," Moore said. "She really gets us going on the offensive end."
Kliegel added seven points, all in the opening six minutes, for Blair Oaks.
"Kadence has done a really good job, she's that glue for us," Moore said.
Linthacum made 1-of-2 free throws with 13 seconds remaining to tie it at 26.
The Lady Falcons will open their season Monday at Camdenton.