Lady Celtics Win Third Place in State on Saturday

After giving the top ranked Webb City Cardinals a competitive game in the Class 4 State semifinals, the O'Hara Celtics lost 55-42 on March 13 to play the Saint Dominic Crusaders for third place the following day. In a close game, the Lady Celtics won 40-37. _____ The Celtics surprised the Cardinals by jumping off to a five point advantage early in the semifinal game at 11-6, but by halftime, two points separated the two talented squads 21-19 with the Cardinals ahead. _____ The Cardinals were held to five second quarter points when O'Hara scored four baskets to Webb City's two. _____ However O'Hara couldn't keep pace in the second half when Webb City's press effectively provided quick buckets and Celtic turnovers. _____ There was a lot of scoring in the fourth quarter and O'Hara got as close as five points at 38-43 when time was running out and the Cardinals made good use of free throw opportunities. _____ In their loss, the Celtics' scoring leaders were Hailey Houser, Alex Smith, and Cameron Randle who reached double figures. ____ In the game for third place, the Celtics found themseles down by four at the half 20-16. Tori Hurtt and Alex Smith had scored six points each up to that time. _____ In the third quarter, twice a three-point shot by Alex Smith tied the score at 25-25 and 28-28, but the Crusaders obtained three additional points to maintain the lead into the final quarter. _____ Following two Crusader free throws for a 33-28 five point advantage, the O'Hara defense perked up, and the Celtics scored nine unanswered points to take the lead for the first time in the second half . _____ Hailey Houser scored eight points in the final quarter along with three from Alex Smith as O'Hara had twelve to Saint Dominics' six. _____ The O'Hara duo of Houser and Smith led the Celtic team with 17 and 12 total points apiece in the low scoring game. _____ With just under twenty seconds remaining in the game, O'Hara led by only two points 39-37. _____ Finally with the last four seconds left in the game, Cameron Randle cashed in on a free throw and the Crusaders couldn't come close to tying with a very long three point attempt.