Norwood season ends in state quarterfinals

A dream run to a possible fourth straight Final Four came to an end for the Norwood Lady Pirates with just 5.4 seconds remaining in last Friday’s Class 2 state quarterfinals game against Marionville at Bolivar High School.
A turnover on an inbound play near mid-court forced a late foul and two Lady Comets’ free throws as Norwood’s season came to an end after a 46-42 loss.
The loss meant it was the final game for Norwood seniors Gentry Davault, Addy Gray, Jayden Chambers and Lydia Harden.
In their four years, Norwood averaged 25 wins per season and compiled a 101-27 overall record.
“What a fun four years with this group of seniors,” said Norwood head coach Wayne Jessen. “They jelled to play solid man, active zone trapping, offensive spacing with smart cutting and passing. Their effort is second to none. I was blessed with a front row seat watching them grow and get connected all four years. You don’t witness that many victories in four seasons without having tough, determined and smart players.”
At the start of the game with the Lady Comets, Marionville scored first before Norwood had a 5-0 run with the help of Gray’s 3-pointer.
Chambers would quickly pick up a second foul and Marionville then had a 6-0 run.
The Lady Comets added a crazy off-balanced shot for a 3-point play. Then Chambers picked up a third foul on an inbound pass at the buzzer as the Lady Comets made a pair of free throws for a 15-12 first quarter lead.
The Lady Comets moved their run to 7-0 before Davault assisted Jaycee Hall for a 3-pointer to tie the game at 17-17.
Marionville would make 4-of-13 shots from the field in the second quarter and took a 23-21 lead into halftime.
The third quarter was full of lead changes as both teams went back-and-fort throughout the eight minutes of play.
Davault’s score and steal gave the Lady Pirates a slim 30-29 lead before the Lady Comets ended the frame on a 4-0 run for a three-point edge heading into the fourth.
Marionville went up six early in the final quarter before Gray it a 3-pointer
Kalie Chadwell made a 3-pointer with 6:02 left to cut the lead to two.
With 1:43 remaining, Chadwell hit a go-ahead 3-pointer for a 42-41 edge.
Down one in the final 20.9 seconds, Davault rebounded a missed free throw.
Problem was the Lady Comets were at just two team fouls. Then came the late, costly turnover to end the season.
Chambers had a team-high 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block; Gray made three, 3-pointers for 10 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal; Chadwell added eight points, seven rebounds, and two assists; Davault had eight points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block; and Hall scored five points, three assists, one rebound and one steal.
Earlier in the week, the Lady Pirates cruised to a 52-32 win over Iberia in Class 2 state sectionals played at Marshfield High School.
In the first quarter, the Lady Pirates made three, 3-pointers, with the final one from Chadwell near the buzzer for a 16-6 lead.
In the second quarter, Iberia cut the lead to five before Chadwell hit a big 3-pointer and added a pair of free throws.
Davault would find Chambers for a score near the buzzer to send the game into halftime up 27-19.
In the third quarter, Davault assisted Chadwell for one 3-pointer then assisted Chambers near the buzzer for another as Norwood took a 38-21 lead into the final eight minutes of play.
The Lady Rangers were held to 1-of-11 shooting in the quarter.
Chadwell took over the game in the fourth scoring 10 points as the Lady Pirates would win by 20 points.
Chadwell scored a team-high 24 points, three rebounds, three steals and one assist; Chambers had 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal; Gray added nine points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal; Hall had four points and four rebounds; Davault had three points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and two steals; and Harden had two points, two rebounds and two steals.