The Taylorville Lady Tornadoes handled everything that the 21-9 O'Fallon Panthers threw at them, but couldn't pull out a win, as the Tornadoes fell to O'Fallon 38-37.  The Lady Tornadoes set this game and the Sacred Heart Griffin game up as tests to get them ready for the playoffs, and the Lady Tornadoes looked up to the part on Friday evening at the Dolph.  Taylorville who will host the first two rounds of the playoffs, jumped out to a quick lead thanks to Grace Rogers who scored 9 in the first quarter as Taylorville led 11-8. 

In the second quarter, the two teams played very even as Rogers would add four more, and Addison Tarr and Kyleigh Heimsness would get involved.  For O'Fallon, Kayla Kalmer, and Haeli Tart would 9 of their 11 points that quarter, but Taylorville would head into the half with a 24-19 lead.  

Starting in the third quarter, the Lady Tornadoes again survived a cold streak as they were outscored 9-7, but once again Taylorville defense stood strong, limiting the scoring from O' Fallon while contributing a 3 from Lia Champley and a field goal from Rogers. Taylorville would hold a 31-28 lead at the end of the third quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, the Panthers finally got some scoring going but Taylorville once again hung tight with them. Kayla Kalmer for O' Fallon hit another three, but the Lady Tornadoes had an opportunity down by 1 with 2.5 seconds left.  Kyleigh Heimsness got the inbounds, but great defense from the Panthers forced Kyleigh to shoot from way off and the shot caromed off to the left. 

                     1              2                3                 4             T

Taylorville   11            13              7               6               37
O'Fallon       8              11             9               10             38

Taylorville's defense was spectacular.  Josie Christopher who averages 15.9 ppg, only scored 8. Haeli Tart who averages 14.5 scored 14.  Taylorville's Grace Rogers led all scorers with 17 points and was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the game.  

While moral victories aren't a thing, this certainly feels like one. Taylorville falls to 18-10, O'Fallon improves to 22-9.  Taylorville next heads to the Regionals as they take on Southeast (Springfield).  O'Fallon will take on Belleville West.  

Scorers:
Tvl;
Grace Rogers: 17

Addison Tarr: 7

Kyleigh Heimsness: 6
Lia Champley: 5
Mazie Fleming: 2

O'Fallon;

Haeli Tart: 14

Kayla Kalmer: 10
Josie Christopher: 8

Quinn Zerjal: 4
Symone Bynum: 2

Congratulations to the Taylorville Lady Tornadoes on a successful season! Good luck from all of us in the playoffs!!!