Lady Jays to make first final four appearance in a decade

The Marshfield Lady Jays are going to the Final Four!

Marshfield punched their ticket to Mizzou Arena and the Final Four on Friday night in front of a packed gym at Marshfield High School. Marshfield played a historical familiar foe in the Crusaders from Helias Catholic from Jefferson City.

The game was a battle. Marshfield went into the contest with a record of 25-4 and ranked number 6 in the latest Coaches poll. Helias had a record of 20-9 and was ranked number 11.

At the end of the 1st quarter the Lady Jays were up 1, 14-13 but by the half the Crusaders had taken a four point lead 28-24. By the end of the third Marshfield had trimmed the deficit to 1, 35-34.

The fourth quarter was one of excitement! Helias scored the first 6 points of the quarter to go up 41-34 with 6:32 to go. Marshfield Head Coach Katie Pritchard called a timeout to stop the momentum.

Coming out of that timeout Marshfield Senior Lauren Lubbert hit a three that started the comeback. 41-37. Helias answered with Sophomore Claire Morris hitting a bucket from the block 43-37.

Marshfield 6’ Freshman Payton Ward found Lubbert on the block all alone and she made it a four point game 43-39. Helias answered 45-39. Marshfield Senior Abby McBride dribble penetrated for 2, 45-41. After a turnover by Helias Marshfield Senior Abby Menzies made it a 2 point game 45-43 with 4 minutes to go.

After another empty possession by Helias, Luebbert hit another 3 with 3:26 to go to give the Lady Jays the lead at 46-45. From there the Jays outscored Helias 10 – 4 and got the win 56-49.

Marshfield now will play John Burroughs on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Mizzou Arena on the campus of the University of Missouri. That game can be seen at MSHSAA.tv.

John Burroughs (26-3) is a private Catholic school in St Louis and they are ranked #1 in the state of Missouri. All 3 losses have come from the same team Class 6 Incarnate Word Academy.

Scoring:

Marshfield – Ward 22, Luebbert 16, McBride 13, Aldridge 3, Menzies 2

Helias – Galbraith 22, C. Morris 12, A. Morris 8, Koelling 5, Harrison 2