The Nixa Girls’ Basketball Tournament was loaded with talented teams when the Park Hill South Lady Panthers basketball team (11-6) finished in sixth place.
Park Hill South started the tournament with a tough one-point loss to Webster Grove (11-3) on Jan. 20. Regan Williams tied her season high in points when the sophomore nearly scored half of the Panthers’ points.
Park Hill South sophomore Avery Simmons, above, recorded her first career double-double against Republic in the Nixa Tournament on Jan. 22.
Williams shot eight of 20 from the field - including one of two from downtown - and made seven of her 11 attempts from the charity stripe to give her 24 points in the 51-50 loss in the opening round. The sophomore also had seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and three steals.
In the next game, Park Hill South bounced back with a demanding 62-28 win over Carnahan (6-3) on Jan. 21.
Williams had another impressive outing, finishing with 16 points on 50 percent shooting and five rebounds. Avery Simmons added 13 points when the sophomore made six of her nine field goal attempts and Josie Ham scored 10 points when she shot 80 percent from the field.
Park Hill South advanced to the fifth round game to take on Republic (8-4) on Jan. 22 and the Panthers came up short and fell 66-55. Three Panthers scored in double figures and Cameron Farber knocked down three of the Panthers’ four shots from behind the arc.
Simmons led the way with her first career double-double when she scored 14 points and grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds. Jayme Dixon finished with 10 points and eight assists and Tatum Kells had 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
Park Hill South bounced back from losing two of its last three when it took down St. Joseph’s Central (10-6) 48-44 on Jan. 24. Simmons was the leading scorer once again, this time finishing with 16 points.
Williams recorded her first double-double since Dec. 16 as the sophomore finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Park Hill South will be back at it on Jan. 26 when the Panthers head to Liberty (7-6) to take on the Blue Jays.