Posting a 53-34 victory last Monday night over Bourbon during first-round action of the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 3, District 8 Girls Basketball Tournament at Steelville High School, Biance Stocks’ Belle Lady Tigers entered their district semifinal contest last Wednesday against Fatima’s Lady Comets looking for revenge.

Falling 38-31 to the Lady Comets at Belle High School (BHS) back on Feb. 12, the Lady Tigers were looking to advance to the district championship game Friday night and a third shot at Dixon’s Lady Bulldogs.

Trailing 10-9 after one quarter, Belle more than doubled up the Lady Comets 17-8 in the second quarter giving them a 26-18 halftime lead.

Edged 16-13 in the third quarter, the Lady Tigers still carried a five-point lead into the fourth quarter by a score of 39-34.

Unable to hold on to the lead, Stocks’ first season as head coach of Belle Lady Tiger basketball ended after a 56-49 district semifinal loss to Fatima.

Ending their season at 16-12 overall, Belle saw the Lady Comets go on to lose to Dixon in the district championship game Friday night 55-46.

Dixon’s Lady Bulldogs faced off Monday night against Centralia’s Lady Panthers in Class 3 Girls Sectional action at Linn High School.

Quickly overcoming a 10-9 first-quarter deficit, Anastyn Lansford scored 10 of Belle’s 17 second-quarter points nearly helping them to a double-digit advantage at halftime.

Picking up where she left off in the second quarter, Anastyn Lansford netted seven of Belle’s 13 third-quarter points keeping them in front entering the fourth quarter.

Unable to overcome an 11-12 showing from the free-throw line from Fatima’s Lady Comets, Belle’s season ended one win shy of a spot in the district championship game.

Anastyn Lansford led all scorers with a game-high 27 points and three steals for the Lady Tigers.

Saige Garner nearly joined the elder Lansford in double figures scoring all eight of her points in the first half.

Garner also added two rebounds, two steals and two assists to her eight points.

Aubrey Rehmert added six points, four rebounds and three steals followed closely with five points from Ava Feeler all in the second half.

Feeler also grabbed a team-high five rebounds against the Lady Comets.

Natalie Lansford capped the Belle scoring against Fatima with three points on a third-quarter 3-pointer.

Lady Tigers vs. Bourbon

Opening district play after ending their regular season with a 58-34 win over South Callaway, Stocks’ Lady Tigers took on Bourbon’s Lady Warhawks last Monday night at Steelville High School.

Jumping out to an 11-4 lead after one quarter, Belle then stretched their lead into double digits at halftime by a score of 2-9 behind 12 first-half points from Anastyn Lansford all on made 3-point shots.

Rehmert took over the scoring load hitting for all 10 of her points in the third quarter eventually helping the Lady Tigers to an opening-round victory in districts, 53-34.

After her four 3-pointers in the first half, Anastyn Lansford showed the way for Belle with 17 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Natalie Lansford also netted 17 points, seven steals, five assists and four rebounds for the Lady Tigers.

Rehmert made it three Belle Lady Tigers in double figures with 10 points, eight rebounds and two steals.

Garner added seven points, three rebounds and two steals while Feeler hit a third-quarter bucket for her two points.

She also added five rebounds and two steals.