Lady Cougars Pull Out Defensive Battle With Canton, Macy Glasgow Scores 1,000th Point

PROTECTED CONTENT

If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.

Username

Password

Login

Lost your password?

Username and Password Help

Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.

Email

Submit

← Back

 By David Sharp 

Canton and Highland engaged in a cerebral as much if not more than a physical contest for the girls third place award of the 53rd Annual Highland Tournament. Canton’s coaching staff came up with a great game plan against eighth ranked in Class 3 Highland. 

The Lady Tigers (7-6) dialed up a version of the 1-3-1 zone defense. Canton switched off a defender to thwart Highland’s dribble drive, rim attacking offense. The set was very much the same philosophically to Clopton’s defense. 

Canton and Highland stalled each other enough for a six point Tiger lead at the half. Highland (13-2, Ranked eighth in Missouri Girls Class 3) rallied with a 12-2 fourth quarter run, pulling out a 31-29 win. 

Josie Murphy pulled down an offensive rebound and scored what proved to be the game winning points with 12 seconds to play in the game. Addy Abell sank a Cougar free throw with 4.4 seconds showing on the clock for an insurance point. 

Keera Rothweiler grabbed another Highland offensive rebound for the win. “Coming out of halftime, we really needed to step up,” Lady Cougar center Josie Murphy said. “They were killing us on the boards. 

“It was definitely nerve wracking,” Murphy said of the closing moments of the latest installment of one of our region’s great high school sports rivalry games. “I guess it was chosen to be the one that went in.” 

“It was scary. I was scared shooting it,” Josie Murphy said of the game winning shot. “We can definitely get a little practice in. We haven’t practiced because of all the snow,” Josie Murphy said of the upcoming Highland at Canton varsity games scheduled for January 14, 2025. 

“I think it will definitely help us. We want to win a lot better than we did today.” 

“We kept working through the ugly,” Highland coach Ashton Jaco said. “We didn’t always get great shots. We haven’t seen a 1-3-1 (zone defense) like that a whole lot. When we did get great shots, it seemed like we couldn’t throw the ball into the ocean.” 

Chevie Sharpe fired in a trifecta of three pointers, keeping Highland close during the first quarter and a half. Macy Glasgow scored with 20 seconds remaining in the first period for a 12-6 lead after the first eight minutes. 

Macy Glasgow scored her 1,000th career point during this great game. “The thing that is really impressive about her 1,000 points is she doesn’t shoot the three ball,” Canton Coach Danielle Baker said. 

“She also is well past 500 rebounds in her career too. She has been a huge contributor to our team. We always rely on Macy. When it gets to the end of the year, she has always been our leading scorer.” 

The teams battled on even terms during the second quarter. Canton took an 18-12 lead top the halftime dressing room. Kenna Oliver gave Canton an 18-10 lead with 40 seconds to play in the half. 

Addy Abell pulled Highland back to the six point deficit with a pair of free throws with 1.4 second to play in the second quarter. Canton took a 20-14 lead with 3:26 showing on the third quarter clock. 

Canton hit a cold spell with their scoring chances. Highland missed their share of scoring opportunities in the third quarter. The Tigers led 27-19 entering the fourth quarter. 

“I was really proud of our girls and how they defended,” Canton Coach Danielle Baker said. “They are a really fast team. They like to get out in transition and run. They got very few transition points. I thought my girls did a very fine job of executing the game plan really well.” 

“We played too conservative in the fourth quarter. Maybe we played not to lose and not to win,” Danielle Baker said. “Unfortunately, that is just not how you can get through. Fatigue always plays a role in that fourth quarter stuff.” 

“It may have been more fatigue in our mental game. We missed some layups and free throws. That last possession was on me. I didn’t call a time out,” Danielle Baker said. “I regret not calling a timeout to set up a play.” 

“Highland amped up their pressure in the fourth quarter. They were pretty physical a couple of times,” Coach Baker said. “It was a good game. It was what you expect when 

Emma Berry stepped up and buried a Cougar three ball for a 28-22 score with 5:40 to play in the game. Highland attacked the basket with a vengeance in the fourth quarter. The Lady Cougars grabbed three offensive rebounds, ending with an Addy Abell free throw and a 28-23 score with 3:55 remaining. 

Ellie Goehl pulled Highland back within a 28-25 deficit with a pair of free throws at the 1:37 mark of the fourth quarter. Canton missed two free throws with 1:26 to play. Keera Rothweiler brought the Highland crowd to their feet with a clutch three pointer and a 28 all tie with 70 seconds to go in regulation time. 

Chayse Uhlmeyer sank a Canton free throw for a 29-28 lead with 1:04 to play in the game. Canton missed three chances to extend their lead at the free throw line in that same time period. 

The teams battled until Josie Murphy put Highland on top of a 30-29 score with a putback at the 12 second mark of regulation. Keera Rothweiler secured a loose ball. Addy Abell hit the first of two free throws with 4.4 seconds remaining for the 31-29 lead. 

Keera Rothweiler rebounded the second try. Time expired on one of the great games in the storied Highland vs. Canton rivalry. 

“They just kept working,” Ashton Jaco said. “Our defense was solid. We just never stopped. They never quit. Yes, it was so ugly. I still don’t know how we won. But I’m really proud of our fight and out toughness through.” 

“We made just enough shots. We hit enough three point shots, Ashton Jaco said. “We had hardly any two point makes. The kids just stepped up. Ellie (Goehl) hit her free throws at the end. Chevie (Sharpe) was the only one that could hit anything at the beginning.” 

Canton sank ten field goals while limiting Highland to only three two point baskets in 32 minutes of play. Highland sank six home run balls, including the first nine Highland points of the game by Chevie Sharpe. 

The Lady Cougars defended the perimeter, holding Canton scoreless from the arc. Canton was 9-18 from the free throw line. Highland made seven of 12 from the charity stripe. 

Macy Glasgow scored a game high 15 Canton points. Kenna Oliver scored seven Tiger points. Chayse Oliver put in five and Kenzie Hultz added two Canton points. 

Chevie Sharpe and Addy Abell led Highland with nine points each. Keera Rothweiler scored five points. Ellie Goehl and Emma Berry scored three points each. Josie Murphy added two game winning points. 

“We just stuck with it,” Coach Jaco said. “We just kept fighting. We pulled it out by the skin of our teeth.” 

“It was a good game,” Danielle Baker said. “I know a lot of people will think it was not very high scoring, but playing at such a high defensive level, shots are contested. You aren’t getting layups. It’s going to be low scoring.” 

“If you look at Central- Southeastern and Quincy Notre Dame’s games, they are low scoring. Defense is just what they like to do. I’m proud of my girls for doing that. It is a disappointing loss. It’s one I will lose a lot of sleep over,” Danielle Baker said. 

“We get another chance on Tuesday. It will be at home.”