Lady Lions upset Corning

Senior guard Taylor Harmon pumped in 33 points, leading Manila to a stunning 70-67 overtime victory against Corning in the quarterfinals of the 3A-3 District Tournament Monday night at Rivercrest. The win sends the Lady Lions into this week's regional tournament at Yellville-Summitt High School.

Corning led the majority of the game, holding a 19-14 advantage after the first break, a 34-32 lead at the half and a 43-42 edge after three periods of play. The two teams finished regulation tied 59-all before Manila outscored the Lady Bobcats 11-8 in the final period to secure the victory. Harmon pitched in eight of Manila's 11 overtime points.

Jordyn Wheeler and Hannah Teague also contributed double digit performances, scoring 14 and 12 points respectively. Senior Lauren Woody netted four, freshman Sydney Adcock had three while Courtney Scott and Tessa Pannells chipped in two points apiece. Manila flipped in 19-28 foul shots and buried 11 three pointers, including five by Harmon.

Kayti Manatt paced Corning with 23 points while Maggie Couch added 22 more. Cara Johnson chipped in 14. The Lady Bobcats made 17-31 free throws and drained eight three pointers on the night.

"Corning jumped out on us early, but we never quit," said Manila Coach Sammi Fowler. "It was a phenomenal effort. It was the best game we have played all season. We were the team that I've seen in us all year long. Everybody was clicking all on the same night. It's an amazing feeling making the regionals. I am very proud of the girls."

Manila faced Hoxie in the semifinals, dropping a 67-47 decision to the conference co-champions. The Lady Mustangs jumped to a big 24-7 lead after the first quarter and held a 34-21 halftime advantage. Manila clawed its way back in the third period and trailed just 43-33 entering the final frame. Teague dropped in a bucket to begin the fourth quarter, closing the gap to 43-35, but that is as close as the Lady Lions could get.

Freshman Sidney Gillham scored a game high 26 points to lead Hoxie. Devyn Pollard and Kristan VanKirk added 13 points apiece.

Teague led Manila with 20 points while Harmon chipped in 16. Wheeler scored five while Pannells and Scott added three points apiece.

The Lady Lions will open regional tournament play Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. against number one seeded Valley Springs.