WEBB CITY, Mo. — Kirra Long brought the ball across half-court and gave her defender a hesitation dribble. Once they fell for the fake, Long raced by, split two defenders and made a right-handed finger roll while drawing a foul.
That score and free throw gave Long 12 points and Webb City a 24-0 lead with 1:29 left to play in the first quarter Friday night at Webb City High School. Long went on to score 27 and lead the Cardinals to a 69-36 win over Pittsburg, Kansas. The senior guard tallied 12 in the first and 10 in the third stanza.
Moments after Long's old-fashioned 3-point play, Pittsburg's Brilee Mantooth hit a shot from beyond the arc to get the Purple Dragons on the board. The score was 26-3 after one quarter. The Cardinals' full-court press defense was too much for Pittsburg in the first half as they forced a lot of turnovers.
Webb City was able to extend its lead by winning the second quarter 21-14. Pittsburg used a 6-0 run midway through the second and a 4-0 run to end it in order to keep the game closer. It was 47-17 at halftime, and Long had notched 17 points.
Webb City led 65-25 late in the third. Long lined up another shot that appeared to be beyond the arc, and it looked as if one official had ruled it a 3-pointer when released. Long buried the shot, but it was later changed to a 2-point basket as an official told the scorer's table it was not a 3-pointer.
That shot made it 67-25 and gave Long 27 on the night. She played part of the fourth quarter but missed h.