Kirkwood Downs Mehlville in District Semifinals

Five-foot-nine senior Panther forward Mandy Fox made a 3-pointer at the buzzer and the crowd erupted into applause like it was the game-winning shot.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t. But Mehlville had nothing to lose in a 69-29 finish against Kirkwood Tuesday in the district semifinals at Fox High School.

“Her goal of four years was to make a 3-pointer and she made one at the buzzer so that was good,” Mehlville coach Laura Bishop said.

The Panthers were physically unmatched against Kirkwood, who had seven 3-pointers in the first half.

“They’re good at every position and we just had trouble covering every position,” Bishop said. “Physically, we just don’t match up with them very well.”

Senior Natalie Fryrear started Kirkwood’s run with two 3-pointers and ended the night with 15. Kacy Jacobs added 13 for the night.

The Pioneers led by 24 at the half and outscored the Panthers 19-9 in the third quarter.

Kirkwood coach Brad Sutterer said he wanted to stop Mehlville’s Emily Fox, Mandy Fox and Sierra Gray from scoring. Gray and Emily Fox combined for six and Mandy Fox had 14 for the night.

“Those are three players we wanted to take some stuff away from them,” he said. “I think we did a pretty good job.”

Mehlville was also missing one of its constant starters in Erin Huie, who was out with the flu.

“We definitely missed her tonight, if just for rebounding purposes,” Bishop said.

The Panthers struggled with scoring as their only points in the fourth quarter came in the last 20 seconds of play.

Bishop said scoring would be one of her top priorities next year, when she will lose Mandy Fox and three other seniors to graduation.

“We need to work on our offense, we’re going to be playing more of a full court pressure game next year, so I’m hoping we’ll have more depth, and a lot of speed,” she said.

Kirkwood will face Cor Jesu Friday at 5 p.m. for the district title at Fox High School.

The two teams met in the district championship last year, with Kirkwood coming out on top, 55-30.

“We can’t turn it over; they play very good defense, they control the boards and we can’t give them the shots they’re comfortable shooting,” Sutterer said.

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