Lady ‘Cats’ Basler earns MVP honors at Murphysboro tourney
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Elle Basler scored 19 points and had 13 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 assists and a block to lead Anna-Jonesboro to a 54-36 win over Shawnee in its final game at the Mid Winter Tournament in Murphysboro Saturday, Jan. 16.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Basler, who led all scorers in the tournament with a total of 61 points, was named the most valuable player.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Connar Hadley added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Wildcats. Jasmin Foster had 6 points, 7 steals, 5 assists and 2 rebounds. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Angel Helm had 4 points, a rebound and an assist. Reagan Morrison had 2 points and a rebound. Sydney Heath had 2 points, a rebound, an assist and a steal. Julie Ellis had 2 points and a steal. Lexi Smith had 2 points and a rebound. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Drew McLane had 13 points to lead the Lady Reds. Madi Ellet added 9 points, Autumn McMahan 8 and Morgan Stevens, Brittney Abercrombie and Abbey Livesay 2 apiece.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Lady Reds jumped out to a 15-9 lead after one quarter but fell behind 25-17 at the half. A-J led 42-27 going into the final period.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Johnston City 50, A-J 41:</strong> The Lady Indians pulled ahead early in the tournament win Wednesday, Jan. 13.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Johnston City led 13-9 after one quarter and was in front 21-20 at the half. A-J trailed 35-32 going into the final period.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Basler scored 22 points, had 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals to lead A-J. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Foster added 6 points, 4 steals and a rebound. Hadley had 4 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Heath had 4 points, 2 steals and a rebound. Helm had 1 point, 2 steals and a rebound.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Lady Wildcats were 7 of 22 from the free throw line, while the Lady Indians were 22 of 25 from the charity stripe.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Herrin 47, A-J 39:</strong> The Lady Wildcats led at every quarter break before falling to Herrin Thursday, Jan. 14.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">A-J was ahead 10-8 after one quarter and 23-13 at the half. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Lady Tigers fought back in the third quarter before Lexa Sharp hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to boost A-J to a 33-30 lead headed into the final period.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Basler had 22 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals for A-J.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Helm had 7 points, 7 rebounds, an assist and a steal. Sharp had 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. Hadley had 3 points and 3 rebounds. Foster had 2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">A-J, 9-9, is scheduled to play in the Eldorado tournament this week. </span></p>