If Brienne Kelsey was nervous about Saturday’s championship game, it didn’t show.

Morrison’s star shooting guard stole the show in the 7-8 grade title tilt, leading the Lady Eagles to a 42-24 victory over the Irving College Lady Tigers at Charlie Dalton Gym. 

Kelsey scored a game-high 14 points to earn MVP honors and help Morrison finish perfect this season. The Lady Eagles were 10-0 in the regular season and also claimed the Morrison Ruritan preseason tournament title.

“These girls take pride in their defense. They have played great defense all year! They are scrappy and tough and don’t get out hustled,” said Morrison coach Kyle Cannon. “They rebound extremely well even though they are outsized most of the time. They play very good as a team and are very unselfish. I am very proud of them. They are great group of young ladies on and off the floor.”

Kelsey was on fire from the outset. The lefty had been one of the most feared shooters in elementary basketball all season, but she showed her prowess around the rim early against Irving College.

After starting the scoring with a wing 3-pointer, Kelsey broke a 7-7 tie midway through the first with a driving layup. She was fouled on the play and connected on the ensuing free throw.

On the following possession, Kelsey attacked the rim again and finished through contact. Her second and-one basket helped Morrison build a 14-7 advantage by the end of the first quarter.

Irving College was dealt a big blow late in the first quarter when Mia Hobbs, the league’s second leading scorer, picked up her third foul. Hobbs watched from the bench until midway through the third quarter.

In Hobbs’ absence, Morrison was able to double up the Lady Tigers 22-11 in the first half, then push the lead to 14 before Hobbs re-entered.

Hobbs quickly got to the hoop for a layup and added two free throws to make it a 10-point game, but Irving College couldn’t get any closer.

Lakelyn Ross drilled a big 3-pointer late in the third as Morrison pulled ahead 34-17. 

The Lady Eagles put the game away with late buckets from Jessica Alvarez, Kiara Blevins and Lilly Cantrell.

Alvarez, Ross and Marcie Pope finished with six points each, earning all-tournament honors in the process. Blevins and Jenna Newby added four points apiece.

Hobbs led Irving College with 10 points, followed by Jessie Young with six. Rounding out the Irving College scoring was McKenzie Hillis with three, Wendy Garcia and Brooklyn Wanamaker with two and Bailey King with one. Hobbs and Young represented Irving College on the all-tournament team.

Other all-tournament members include Emma Young (Boyd), Shelby Smartt and Chloe Rogers (Eastside), Addison Johnson and Krista Chisam (Centertown) and Brianna Winkler (Dibrell).

Consolation game

Centertown 36

Eastside 25

Lady Warrior scoring – Addison Johnson 10, Krista Chisam 10, Liberty Simmons 6, Kennedi Pegg 5, Madison Johnson 3, Alyssa Mosley 2

Lady Bulldog scoring – Shelby Smartt 12, Kelly Bush 6, Brooklyn Vinson 3, Bebe Brackley 2, Emma Cordell 2