Donettes down Portageville to win fourth Lady Royals Christmas Classic in a row

BROSELEY — For the fourth straight year, the Lady Royals Christmas Classic championship will go to Doniphan.

The Donettes showcased their powerhouse program once again on Saturday as they took a 60-33 win over Portageville in the championship contest.

“This tournament is always a good tournament,” Doniphan coach Adam Epps said. “Christmas tournaments and basketball are always a special thing. It’s big for our seniors having won it all four years they played. We always enjoy playing in this tournament and I’m really proud of our effort tonight.”

As for Saturday’s contest, it was a couple of sophomores that led the way for the Donettes, as Carsyn Hagood dropped 19 points before fouling out in the fourth and Ellie White was right behind her with 18.

“We were really aggressive with the basketball,” Epps said. “Ellie got loose and started hitting shots — she had 15 points in the first half. Carsyn was going at the same time. We had a slow start on the boards but we got better throughout the game.”

Portageville got out in front first with a 4-1 run in the first four minutes but Doniphan stepped on the gas and went into the second frame up 16-7.

There was a little more offense from the Bulldogs in the second quarter, but the Donettes were still in control going into halftime with a 31-18 lead.

Doniphan’s defense shut down Portageville coming out of the break, holding the Bulldogs to only six points in the quarter as Donettes went up 50-24 going into the fourth.

From there, it was only a matter of how many points Doniphan would have by the final buzzer as the team secured the championship.

Only Dexter has won the tournament in more consecutive years, winning six in a row.

Going into the second half of the season, Doniphan has plenty of tough tests ahead.

“We’re going to the Sophie Cunningham Classic in Columbia beginning of January,” Epps said. “We’re also playing Notre Dame in Cape Girardeau, we’re hosting Jackson, and we have the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament coming up.”

Doniphan’s first game after the new year will be a home date with Puxico on at 6 p.m. on Jan. 6.