Lady Eagles season ends with a quarterfinal state loss

The Oran High School girls basketball team's season ended yesterday just one victory short of a second straight final four appearance with a 79-61 loss to the Neelyville Lady Tigers at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff.  Oran had defeated Neelyville last year 72-69.

The Eagles fell behind 20-11 after one and trailed 39-21 at the intermission.

Coach Ethan Evans said, "I thought we just got outworked in the first half. We weren't rebounding at all early in the game when they were missing some shots. The girls didn't give up and played pretty well in the second half but it was too little, too late."

The two teams played even during the second half, but Oran never cut the lead below 15.

Only two Lady Eagles scored during the first half and three during the game.

Leah Cauble had a game-high 28 points, nine of which came from beyond the arc.  She had nine rebounds.  Kaylee Payne had 20 points, she hit two treys and was six of six from the line and dished three assists.  Jessie Long totaled 13 points all in the final two quarters, including three three's.  She also snared nine boards.

Claire Ramsey contributed three rebounds and three assists.

Oran hit 12-32 from two for 38% and 8-24 from three for 33%.  At the line, they were 13-17 for 77%.

They finish the season with a 23-5.

Evans added, " I would like to thank all the parents, fans, and the community for all their support on Saturday and throughout the year. We really appreciated it."

They will graduate no one from the team.