Lady Hornets claim share of NCMC title

The Fulton Lady Hornets ended the regular season by sharing the North Central Missouri Conference title with Boonville after Thursday night's 50-35 victory over rival Mexico at Roger D. Davis Gymnasium.

Fulton - which swept the season series with Mexico - improved to 15-9 overall and completed NCMC play with a 10-2 mark.

"This is something these seniors set as a goal their freshman year," Lady Hornets head coach TJ Quick said. "I couldn't be more proud of a group of young ladies. They're absolutely deserving of it."

Fulton built a 17-10 lead after one quarter and then outscored the Lady Bulldogs 10-2 in the second quarter to take a 27-12 advantage into halftime. The Lady Hornets carried a 40-24 lead into the fourth quarter.

Senior guard Sloane Totta connected for a game-high 20 points, including five 3-pointers, and had five steals to spark Fulton in her final home game. Senior forward NaShayla Brandt also tallied 13 points and grabbed a team-high six rebounds.

"We played well defensively and blocked out well," Quick said. "Offensively, we moved the ball well and knocked down some shots."

Adria Costley and Anna Proctor finished with 11 points apiece for Mexico.

The Lady Hornets are the third seed for next week's Class 4, District 8 Tournament in Hannibal. Fulton plays No. 6 seed Hannibal in the first round at 4:30 p.m. Monday.

The Lady Hornets won both of their NCMC meetings with the Lady Pirates during the regular season.

"Everybody is zero and zero; you go into district with your record wiped," Quick said. "We have to focus on what we do well. We're excited and this is a great opportunity for us."