High school girls' basketball: South Callaway 56, North Callaway 18

MOKANE - Junior center DeLaney Horstman erupted for a game-high 30 points as the top-seeded and state-ranked Lady Bulldogs demolished the No. 8 Ladybirds in Monday night's first round of the South Callaway Invitational Tournament.

"DeLaney Horstman was unstoppable," Lady Bulldogs head coach Darren Humphrey said. "She played exceptionally well on both ends.

"Her positioning and offensive intensity led her to having an outstanding night."

The night was particularly memorable for Horstman as she surpassed 1,000 career points to join junior guard Paige Clubb as the second South Callaway player to reach the milestone this season. Clubb achieved the feat in December at the Linn Tournament.

"When DeLaney hit her 1,000th point (Monday night), that was something special," Humphrey said. "Joining Paige those two are great examples of what - through hard work and dedication - a player is capable of obtaining.

"Those are the accomplishments that people will remember for years to come."

South Callaway (10-1) - ranked 10th in Class 3 by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association - stretched its winning streak to six games while easily subduing North Callaway for the second time in less than a week. The Lady Bulldogs overpowered the Ladybirds 67-32 on Jan. 7 in Mokane.

South Callaway charged out to a commanding 21-1 advantage after one quarter Monday night and coasted into halftime with a 39-4 lead.

Senior forward Raeghan Meyer added 10 points for the Lady Bulldogs. Sophomore forward Hailee Potter contributed eight points and Clubb had six.

South Callaway played without sophomore guard Raegan Brown, who suffered a concussion in a 49-40 Show-Me Conference victory over Russellville at home last Thursday night.

"Without Raegan Brown, and Raeghan Meyer playing with a serious injury, the girls had to perform at a high level," Humphrey said. "Honestly, Brown and Meyer are athletes that our team chemistry feeds off of.

"The girls knew they had to come out with great speed and minimize mistakes, and they did just that."

Senior guard Daelyn Schmauch and junior forward Trinity Brush led North Callaway (1-8) with six points apiece.

"The girls never quit playing hard," Ladybirds head coach Morgan Beamer said. "You have to give DeLaney Horstman credit - she completely dominated us inside."

The Lady Bulldogs now move on to meet No. 5 seed Harrisburg in the semifinals at 6 tonight in the high school gym. Harrisburg advanced by toppling No. 4 seed Russellville 38-30 in first-round play Monday night.

"(Harrisburg) pushes the ball up the court and looks to create chaos with its pressure," Humphrey said. "We, as well, have to rely heavily on our defensive efforts and control the boards every minute of the game.

"We can't take anything for granted right now - we have to be prepared."

The Ladybirds square off against Russellville in the consolation semifinals at 6 tonight in the middle school gym.