Final Four Bound
The Norwood Lady Pirates run towards their fan base after winning their state quarterfinals match-up with Marionville on Norwood’s home court. The Lady Pirates will take on Skyline in the Class 2 state semifinals at noon on Friday, March 14 at Mizzou Arena on the campus of the University of Missouri.
For the third year in a row, the Norwood Lady Pirates’ basketball team punched their ticket to the Class 2 Final Four after defeating Marionville on Saturday in the state quarterfinals, 41-37.
The program’s 73rd win in the last three seasons came on their home court as the players celebrated with their fans and family after holding on late for a victory over a 21-win Lady Comets’ squad that knocked off Miller in state sectionals.
“The kids deserve all the credit,” said Norwood head coach Wayne Jessen. “They try to do what it takes to win…It’s a fun bunch. They’ve won about 75 games here in three years. I enjoy coaching them. I like watching them and I like being around them.”
This week’s Final Four tips off with another tough state semifinals game as they battle Skyline (27-3) at noon on Friday, March 14 at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
A win gives them a chance at playing for a state championship against either Tipton or St. Vincent at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 15. The third place game is at 10 a.m. on the same day.
Coach Jessen said his team, which has placed fourth in the state the past two seasons, is focused on making some noise this year.
“Our main thing is we have to take care of the basketball,” Coach Jessen noted.”We need to make good decisions with the basketball…”
Turnovers did hurt the Lady Pirates in the first quarter against Marionville as they lost five possessions and trailed 5-0 early.
(Read the rest of the story in the March 12 issue of the Wright County Journal.)