Aug. 4, 2009

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Nine current and former University of Missouri Tigers took home the gold in the Show-Me State Games last weekend with a perfect 6-0 record. Named "Unleashed," the team competed in the 19 and cver competitive division.

Current players Jessra Johnson (Fayette, Mo.) and Shakara Jones (St. Charles, Mo.) and incoming freshmen Sydney Crafton (Jefferson City, Mo.) and Trenee Thornton (Kansas City, Mo.) join former Tigers LaToya Bond, Christelle N'Garsanet, EeTisha Riddle and Carlynn (Savant) Musil on the team. Former Illinois Illini Becca Harris also played on the squad.

Unleashed breezed through pool play undefeated and coasted through their quarterfinal and semifinal contests. The squad outscored its opponents by 23 ppg. in those five games. The team faced off against Sho-Me-Heat, a team that included former Tiger Cherice Mack, in the final and held on for a 54-50 victory and the Show-Me State Games championship.

All players contributed to the balanced scoring attack. Johnson hit big baskets and knocked down three-pointers throughout the weekend, Jones was a force in the paint and Crafton and Thornton were consistent from the wing. Additionally, Riddle and N'Garsanet were nearly unstoppable down low, Musil was lights out from behind the arc and point guard Bond directed traffic and slashed through the lane.