Kirkwood Downs Mehlville in District Semifinals

The Kirkwood Pioneers girls basketball team defeated the Mehlville Panthers Tuesday night 69-29 to advance to the district finals.

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.”

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.”

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.

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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