Mercer keeps Jefferson's girls out of playoffs

Beaten by Jefferson in sectionals each of the past three years, Class 1 No. 2 Mercer exacted some long-awaited revenge Saturday night with a 59-39 win over the Lady Eagles in the finals of Class 1 District 15 Tournament in Grant City.

Top-seeded Mercer (27-1) earned its fourth straight playoff berth and will face District 16 champion Mound City Tuesday night in sectionals at Bearcat Arena.

After four consecutive Class 1 Final Four appearances, Jefferson (20-8) was eliminated in districts for the first time since 2007-2008.

The second-seeded Lady Eagles trailed 19-4 at the end of the first quarter and faced a 33-11 deficit at the half. Jefferson outscored Mercer in the second half, but never worked its way back in the game.

Mercer's all-state duo of Sierra Michaelis and Courtney Owens combined for all but six of the team's points and each hit three, three-pointers. Michaelis, a Missouri signee, finished with a game-high 36 points and Owens netted 17.

The Eagles, who hit five three's, were led by Shanna Welch with nine points. Ashley Chor and Jill Henry each had seven. Sarah Kemper made a pair of three's to finish with six points. Danae Schieber added five.

The Eagles graduate rotation stalwarts Welch, Chor, Henry and top three-point shooter Kemper from their starting five.