Some new hardware returned to Bourbon Oct. 16 following the Lady Warhawks’ 44-25 victory over Hermann in the championship game of the Bland A Team Tournament.

The Bourbon girls’ A team was seeded second and beat the seven-seeded Vienna Lady Eagles 41-19 Oct. 12 in the first round. The Lady Warhawks then took on three-seeded Steelville the following afternoon in the semifinals and secured a 41-33 win to advance to the finals against Hermann.

The Lady Warhawks, who are coached by Devon Payne, are now 9-2 on the season with two games left to play. Bourbon will return to Bland Oct. 21 to play a 11:30 a.m. day game against the Lady Tigers. The Blue and White will then host Cuba Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. in its season finale.

Oct. 12 vs. Vienna

Bourbon got out to an early lead over the Vienna Lady Eagles and never looked back, as the Lady Warhawks cruised to a 41-19 win. Bevynn Leach scored a game-high 15 points on seven baskets near the rim and one free throw to lead the Lady Warhawks. Maggie Allen netted six points on three two-pointers and Isabella Haar and Lucy Biles each scored five points on a three-pointer and a bucket in the paint. Caoilin Schoonveld added four points, Andi Payne knocked down a trey in the fourth quarter and Addy Downing chipped in two points to round out the Lady Warhawk scorers.

Oct. 13 vs Steelville

The Lady Warhawks returned to Bland the following afternoon to take on its familiar foe, the Steelville Lady Cardinals. This would be the second time in a week the two teams faced off, and Bourbon was looking for revenge after the Lady Cardinals defeated them Oct. 7 at Bourbon High School. 

Bourbon was able to correct their mistakes from the first game between the two schools, scoring 14 more points in their second matchup. Steelville also scored more points in their second go around, but it wasn’t enough, as the Lady Warhawks punched their ticket to the Tournament Championship with a victory.

Like the first matchup between the two Gasconade Valley Conference (GVC) teams, the game was a close back-and-forth affair. Bourbon scored just three points in the first frame, but found its groove in the second and third quarters, netting 13 and 17 points, respectively.

Unlike the first time the Lady Hawks and Lady Cards faced off, Bourbon was able to close the game out strong and emerge with a 41-33 win. With the victory, the Lady Warhawks advanced to the Tournament Championship three days later against Hermann.

Leach scored another 15 points on five layups, one three-ball and a pair of free throws. Haar drained a trio of three-pointers and finished with nine points. Schoonveld scored eight points, Biles added five points and Allen netted four points.

Oct. 16 vs. Hermann

Bourbon saved its best for last in the tournament finals versus Hermann. The Lady Warhawks led from the get go and thanks to a strong start and a balanced attack, cruised to a 44-25 victory.

Leach netted 14 points on a pair of three-pointers, three close range baskets and a pair of free throws. Haar scored 12 points after knocking down a season-high four three pointers. Schooveld scored eight points for the second consecutive game on four baskets. Biles had five points for the third straight game and Allen also scored five points on a close range shot and three free throws.