Steelville High School’s girls’ basketball team competed in the St. James Invitational Tournament beginning on Jan. 20 in a matchup against Class 6 school Waynesville.

The Lady Cardinals lost a close game to Waynesville before defeating Gateway Legacy Sr. on Jan. 23 in the consolation portion of the bracket and are now 7-11 on the season. The last day of the girl’s portion of the St. James tournament was rescheduled to Jan. 30 due to the inclement weather. Both of Steelville’s games in the St. James tournament are detailed below.

Steelville was scheduled to play back-to-back games on Tuesday, Jan. 27, against Bourbon and in Vienna on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

The Lady Cards are then scheduled to play in their second back-to-back of the week on Jan. 30 in the consolation finals of the St. James Tournament against Southern Boone. The next night, they are scheduled to host Cuba on Jan. 31 for Pink Out Night in collaboration with Steelville’s boys’ basketball team that will raise funds for a local resident’s battle with cancer. Steelville will then host Crocker on Feb. 3 for senior night, where Lady Cardinal seniors will be recognized before the game.

Dec. 20 vs. Waynesville

The Class 3 Lady Cardinals were matched up against the Class 6 Waynesville Lady Tigers in the first round of the St. James Tournament. Waynesville had a slight advantage in the first frame and went into the second quarter up 10-6. Steelville outplayed the Lady Tigers in the second and, despite six missed free throws, tied the game at 22 going into halftime.

Waynesville looked like they were going to pull away towards the end of the third and led 38-30 heading to the final frame. After the Lady Tigers scored the first two points of the fourth quarter to take a 40-30 lead, Steelville head coach Phillip Gambill called a timeout to regroup. His team responded with a 12-0 run, which was punctuated by a Claire Settles three-pointer that gave Steelville its first lead of the game.

Waynesville quickly responded with a basket to tie the game and the rest of the action was close throughout. The momentum of the game suddenly shifted when Steelville junior point guard Jazmyn Hurd exited the game with a medical incident early in the fourth quarter. Hurd had been Steelville’s most effective scorer and ball handler thus far in the game.

Without Hurd, Steelville struggled to get into its offense and turned the ball over numerous times. “We would’ve won the game if Jazmyn (Hurd) was still out there,” Gambill said after the game.

The Lady Cardinals still had multiple chances to tie the game as they trailed by three in the final minute. But a turnover and a missed three-pointer sealed the game, and Steelville lost a frustratingly winnable game, 52-49, to head to the consolation portion of the bracket.

Hurd led the Lady Cards with 17 points and showcased three-point prowess and the ability to fearlessly attack the rim against taller defenders. Emeri Perkins scored 12 points on a three-pointer, a pair of layups and five free throws. Aaleigha Decker drained a pair of treys and a free throw to finish with seven points and Sylvia Davis hit a pair of mid-range jumpers and two free throws for six points. Settles added three points and Marley Eilert and Alex Helms each scored two points. Regan Grosvenor poured in a game-high 21 points to lead the Lady Tigers.

Jan. 23 vs. Gateway Sr. Legacy

The Lady Cardinals looked ready to bounce back against the Gateway Lady Lions.

The first quarter was close, as both teams looked to be thawing out from the frigid temperatures outside. Jazmyn Hurd returned, and steadied Steelville early, as she knocked down a three-pointer and a layup in the opening frame and the Lady Cardinals led 9-6 after the first. Steelville looked like they were in control in the second as their offense started playing with rhythm and propelled them to a 22-13 lead going into halftime.

The Lady Lions fought back in the third quarter and gave Steelville a momentary scare. After the Lady Cardinals scored the first two points in the frame, Gateway responded with a 7-0 run to make it a 24-20 game. After a much-needed timeout from Steelville head coach Phillip Gambill, Hurd drained a three-pointer and Alex Helms hit a pair of free throws that gave the Lady Cardinals a 9-point lead heading into the fourth, and allowed Steelville to breathe after being in a tense situation. The Lady Cardinals regained their offensive rhythm in the final frame and played their best quarter of the game. Steelville netted 19 points in the fourth and was able to pull away with a 48-29 victory over Gateway to advance to the consolation finals against Southern Boone. Because of the inclement weather, the consolation finals was moved to Jan. 30, and will be detailed in next week’s edition.

Hurd knocked down a trio of treys and finished with a game-high 19 points. Emeri Perkins knocked down a three-pointer, a pair of layups and four free throws to finish with 11 points. Aaleigha Decker scored eight, Sylvia Davis chipped in four, Helms added two and Kaylee Pitts knocked down a free throw to finish with one point. Flavia Siqueiro scored nine points to lead the Lady Lions.