Daniels Seals Victory

SPRINGDALE TO PLAY IN TOURNEY CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Springdale's JaVonda Daniels attempts a shot during the final seconds of the second-round game against McDonald County (MO) in the Neosho Holiday Classic basketball tournament at Neosho (MO) Middle School on Friday December 27, 2013. This shot was no good, but moments later Daniels won the rebound and made a shot that clinched victory for Springdale.
Springdale's JaVonda Daniels attempts a shot during the final seconds of the second-round game against McDonald County (MO) in the Neosho Holiday Classic basketball tournament at Neosho (MO) Middle School on Friday December 27, 2013. This shot was no good, but moments later Daniels won the rebound and made a shot that clinched victory for Springdale.

NESOHO, Mo. - The Springdale High girls haven’t played in a championship game of any sort for about 10 years.

That’ll change today when the Lady Bulldogs play for the championship in the Black Division of the Neosho (Mo.) Holiday Classic. Springdale advanced in dramatic fashion Friday when JaVonda Daniels stole an inbounds pass and beat the buzzer with a layup to give the Lady Bulldogs a 40-38 victory over McDonald County, Mo., at Neosho Middle School.

Springdale (4-3) will face the winner of Friday’s late game between Neosho vs. Carthage, Mo., in the Black Division final, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today at Neosho High School.

“To make plays down the stretch, you saw a team that maybe couldn’t do that two weeks ago,” Springdale coach Heather Hunsucker said. “So, you’re seeing a team before your eyes starting to grow up and learn from previous games.”

Daniels helped Springdale to an early lead by hitting three of her four 3-pointers in the first half. But her steal and driving layup was the biggest play of the game.

Desiree Mack made a big contribution by twice knocking the ball out of bounds on an inbounds pass with 8.4 seconds left in the game. McDonald County (4-4) then switched to center Preslea Reece for the inbounds pass, but she still had to throw high over Mack with 7.7 seconds left.

“We put Desiree Mack on the ball, and she’s real hard to throw over,” Hunsucker said. “She created that and (Daniels) made a beautiful play on the ball. She then realized how much time was left and went and made a play.”

Daniels had 14 points and Mack eight to lead Springdale. Reece scored 21 to lead McDonald County, which used a late basket to beatPierce City, Mo., 38-37 in a fi rst-round game.

“I fully believe (Springdale) is the best team in the tournament,” McDonald County coach Blake Short said. “They’ve got some fi repower, and we couldn’t have played any better defensively against them. We just didn’t finished the way we needed.”

Daniels made three 3-pointers to help Springdale to leads of 11-2 and 22-15 inthe first half. But Reece took control inside as McDonald County rallied for a 28-24 lead.

Springdale still trailed 38-36 when Chasidee Owens grabbed a rebound and scored her only basket to set up the winning play.

“We did this schedule on purpose,” Hunsucker said. “We wanted to play quality teams that would make us grow up.”

Sports, Pages 6 on 12/28/2013

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