The Blair Oaks Lady Falcons knew they would face stiff competition in the Jefferson Bank Holiday Hoops Classic. It's why they put their name in the hat.
But after beating St. Joseph Benton on Friday, Blair Oaks (4-5) ran into Blue Springs South (9-0) in the Classic semifinals on Saturday and could not overcome a slow start in a 54-28 loss. The Lady Falcons turn around and play Deer Creek (Okla.) today at 4 p.m. for third place at Rackers Fieldhouse.
"The ball didn't go in early and it started going in for them, and it snowballed," Blair Oaks coach Darren Heckman said after the loss. "They guarded us really well. So we talked about playing in this tournament and trying to get better against good competition. We played good competition, so now we have to learn from it. But we played hard."
Bailey Rissmiller and Mallorie Fick combined to score 27 of Blair Oaks' 48 points in a five-point win against Benton, but couldn't find a rhythm against a stout Lady Jaguars defense. The pair combined for two points, a pair of free throws Rissmiller hit 50 seconds into the game, and together were 0-of-8 from the floor.
Natalie Heckman led Blair Oaks (4-5) with nine points, Kaitlyn Kolb added four points, and Olivia and Madi Boessen each scored four points off the bench.
The Lady Falcons shot 1-of-9 from 3-point range and made just nine field goals total while turning the ball over 19 times against a long and quick Blue Springs South defense allowing an average of 33 points per game this season.
Lauren Gillig, a 6-foot-1 forward, was a force for the Lady Jaguars. She finished with a game-high 22 points and was 6-of-13 from the floor and 8-of-8 at the foul line while pulling down seven rebounds. Gillig moved effectively around the free throw line in the middle of Blair Oaks' zone, and made quick decisions to drive if no one stepped up to her or kick the ball out if the defense collapsed on her. Blue Springs South finished 7-of-14 on 3s, and Gillig showed her range by hitting two of them.
Sophie Lopez added 12 points, nine of which came in her team's 18-point first quarter, and Gillig put up 13 in the second quarter to help the Lady Jaguars to a 40-12 lead at halftime. Blair Oaks trailed 54-18 after three and closed the game on a 10-0 run as Blue Springs South attempted two field goals in the final eight minutes.
The Lady Falcons face Deer Creek for third place after the Lady Antlers, the No. 1 team in Oklahoma Class 6, suffered their second loss of the season in the other semifinal, 55-44, to Jefferson City.
"Another opportunity. Another opportunity," Heckman said. "We just talked about, we get to go play 'em. So we're going to show up tomorrow and see what we can do."