South Shelby freshman buries go-ahead 3-pointer, ruins Palmyra’s chance for district upset

MONROE CITY, Mo. — A freshman who came off the bench made the go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the Class 3 District 6 championship game.

It just didn’t happen to be one of the Palmyra girls basketball team’s talented underclassmen.

South Shelby’s Belle Roush drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key with less than 20 seconds remaining in regulation Saturday afternoon, giving the top-seeded Lady Birds the edge in a 59-55 victory.

“No one expected it to be this close of a game, but we really worked together and … almost had it,” Palmyra senior guard Jansen Juette said.

The Lady Birds, ranked eighth in the final Class 3 state poll of the regular season, will face Duchesne at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Francis Howell Central High School in St. Charles, Mo. Meanwhile, Palmyra ends its season with a 19-8 record.

“My girls don’t have experience in this type of atmosphere,” Palmyra coach Alex Brandenburg said. “But you talk about leaving it all on the floor. These girls want the big moment.”

Three weeks ago, the Panthers suffered a 21-point loss to the Lady Birds in Clarence Cannon Conference play, but it served as motivation for Palmyra instead of intimidation.

Palmyra forced seven first-quarter turnovers to jump on top of South Shelby 17-12. However, the Lady Birds opened the second quarter on a 6-0 run to take the lead and carried a 30-29 lead into halftime after the teams exchanged eight lead changes.

The Lady Panthers trailed most of the second half, including twice by twice points but continued to battle.

With less than a minute left in the game, Palmyra sophomore Candra King drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing to pull Palmyra within 54-53. Forced to foul, the Panthers sent the Lady Birds’ Miranda Patterson to the line, but she missed the front end of a 1-and-1.

Palmyra grabbed the rebound, and freshman Sydney Compton was fouled on a drive to the basket. She made both free throws with 34 seconds to play for the 55-54 lead.

After setting a ball screen at the top of key on South Shelby’s ensuing possession, Roush popped and received a pass from the right wing and calmly drained the go-ahead trey. The freshman led all scorers with 20 points.

Palmyra turned the ball over on its next possession, and South Shelby’s Hannah Wegman made two free throws to seal the victory. Wegman finished with 13 points.

“Talk about leaving it all on the floor,” Brandenburg said. “I’m proud of the way the girls played, not only tonight but the entire season.”

Compton and freshman Clare Williams led Palmyra with 15 points apiece. And although the Panthers will return 90 percent of their scoring next season, Brandenburg understands the impact his two seniors had on this team.

“Jansen and Jaynee (Durst) just wanted what was best for the team,” Brandenburg said. “Those two girls graduating will be a huge hit for us.”