CLASS 1A GIRLS

Nemo Vista senior on target

NASHVILLE -- Kassidy Thompson spotted Nemo Vista a 6-0 lead Tuesday afternoon as the defending champion Lady Hawks took the first step toward repeating with a 59-25 romp over Caddo Hills in the opening round of the Class 1A girls basketball state tournament at Scrapper Arena.

Thompson, Nemo Vista's lone senior who led a balanced scoring attack with 13 points, hit back-to-back three-pointers to stake the Lady Hawks (32-4) to a 6-0 lead that they never relinquished.

"That's the kind of thing that makes Kassidy unique," Nemo Vista Coach Kyle Payne said. "There are a lot of teams that like to leave their big post player inside, and that's who they match with. Her ability to shoot the three is what helps extend [the opponent's] defense out and opens up the lane for our guards to penetrate."

Nemo Vista will play either Norfork or Scranton in a second-round game Thursday night.

Thompson hit four three-pointers and Jacie Andrews added three more, which helped open up the inside for Sarah Mahan and Sade Harrison to work. Andrews and Harrison had 11 points each, and Mahan had 10.

After trailing 10-5 after the first break, Caddo Hills pulled to within 10-9 on Jordan Powell's three-pointer and a free throw by Jayden Fant. That was as close as the Lady Indians would get.

Nemo Vista's 2-3 zone kept Caddo Hills from getting good looks at the basket and forced a dozen first-half turnovers. Occasionally the Lady Hawks extended their defense into a trap, which led to fast-break baskets like Mahan's play that pushed the lead to 28-15 right before halftime. The Lady Hawks led to 10 fast-break baskets off turnovers.

The Lady Hawks' defense was relentless in the second half, and Thompson's final three-pointer with 6:10 to play pushed the advantage to 50-25 and both teams emptied their benches shortly afterward

"From this point forward, there's all good teams left," Payne said. "Anybody can win on any given night. You better show up to play or you'll be going to the house."

IZARD COUNTY 55, ALPENA 19

Kennedy Cooper scored 14 points and 10 rebounds and Jennifer King added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals as Izard County (34-7) eliminated Alpena (20-15).

Izard County will face Wonderview or Acorn in the second round Thursday.

Izard County jumped out to an 8-0 lead and never trailed in the mercy-rule victory. It led 31-10 going into halftime and 51-15 going into the final quarter.

Lexi Olmedo and Amber Ray scored five points each to lead Alpena.

KINGSTON 61, BAY 36

Kingston's Kayla Smith scored 17 points to lead the Lady Jackets (37-4) to victory and into the quarterfinals, where it will play either Sparkman or Guy Perkins.

It took a 25-point third quarter before Kingston completely shook off Bay, who trailed just 28-18 at halftime. But Smith had nine points and Hannah Villines had eight of her 11 points in the third quarter to push the lead to 53-25 entering the fourth quarter.

Katie Ferguson led Bay with 20 points.

Sports on 03/04/2015

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