Feb 7, 2008

The Ava Middle School Lady Bears traveled to Willow Springs on Friday, Jan. 25, to make-up their last game that had to be postponed due to the weather. This was the first time Ava had faced Willow Springs although they had recently watched them play in the Mountain Grove Tournament. The seventh grade team seemed to never be able to get their game together, but it had been two weeks since their last game. Willow Springs took advantage of every mistake the Lady Bears made. The seventh grade lost 40-13. The seventh grade ended its season with four wins and nine losses, but the improvements made over the season show promise for next year. Scoring for the 7th grade: Abby Sparnicht 2, Makenzie Watterson 2, Hannah Johnson 3, and Danielle Dye 6. The eighth grade started the game a little sluggish. The score was kept low due to both teams making mistakes early and turning the ball over. At the half Ava only had an eight-point lead but came back out in the second half determined not to go out without a fight. The Lady Bears defeated Willow Springs 40-28. The eighth grade ended the season with 15 wins and one loss, which is an impressive record for such a young team. Scoring for the 8th grade: Abbie Lansdown 4, Bethany Horn 8, Jorie Garrett 8, Carmen Potts 10, and Payton Lakey 12. Coach Erin Koenig, in her first year as coach of the 7th and 8th grade Lady Bears, expressed appreciation to all the parents, grandparents, family members, and fans that supported the Lady Bears this season.