Rock Port girls hoops wins Class 1 Third Place Game in Columbia; best finish since 1981 and best record in school history

(COLUMBIA, MO) - The Rock Port High School girls basketball team didn't get the final win they wanted, but still ended the season with a win nonetheless. As the Lady Blue Jays defeated Northeast Cairo, 51-38 in the Class 1 State Third Place Game.

Rock Port fell behind 11-5 after the first quarter, but was able to pull within 22-21 at the halftime break. Lady Blue Jays took the lead in the second half and didn't relinquish it.

Rock Port was led by sophomore Audrie Meyerkorth, who finished with 26 points, 16 of those points came in the second half. Senior Ella Meyerkorth finished with 6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal in her final game with the team. Freshman Stevie Gaines finished with a near double-double for Rock Port, 8 points and 11 rebounds. Another freshman, Leah Meyerkorth, added 6 points off the bench.

"We adjusted well to their defense switching a lot. Our team just got to the open spots and made smart shots. We just adjusted well and did what we could do," said Audrie Meyerkorth.

"I'm really sad that it's over, but I'm glad I got to be with this team with my sister and my cousin," said Ella Meyerkorth. "I just got really close to the team throughout the past four years. I'm really glad that we got to go to state state back-to-back in a row for me."

"It feels great. Out of over one hundred teams, there's only two that get to get a chance to win their last one," said Rock Port head coach Austin Alitz. "I'm glad to be on the other end of it this year. Obviously we would have wanted that win yesterday, but that's all right. We'll take this one and it's nice to go home on a win."

The third place finish is the highest finish for Rock Port since 1981, and the team's final 29-3 record is the best record in school history, girls or boys.

Rock Port will look to return to state next season for a third straight year, as four out of its starting five all return.