The Wright City girls basketball team may have found its collective groove, and at just the right time.

Playing neighboring Liberty Christian in the Community Classic game, the Wildcats broke the 60-point barrier for the second time in as many nights in rolling to the 60-11 win on what not only served as a rivalry game, but also as senior night for both teams.

Senior Shiriah McRoberts said she’ll long remember her final home game for the atmosphere, as much as the result, even though taking home the Community Classic Cup does elicit special feelings.

"Winning the Community Cup is something I will always remember,” McRoberts said. “The energy of the game was electric, and our team communicated so well together. Our team's chemistry and our care for one another were awesome.”

Wright City (7-17) vaulted to leads of 14-2 after the first quarter and 34-3 by halftime. McRoberts led the way over the first 16 minutes with 12 points while senior guard Kaitlyn Mikus added 11.

Wildcats coach Dustin Elledge said the team’s defensive groove not only paid dividends on Friday, but he’s hopeful it’s something the Wildcats can carry forward as they begin the district playoffs next week in the Class 4 District 8 tournament in Fulton.

“Our team played well on Friday,” Elledge said. “We were able to find trapping opportunities that allowed us to add to our defensive pressure. Being able to put pressure and traps together will hopefully allow us to be better prepared going into districts.”

By game’s end, Mikus led the team with 22 points tallied while McRoberts added 20.

Junior guard Ada Ferrell said the community aspect of the Community Classic is a major part of a tradition she hopes will last for a long time.

After all, not only were the Wright City seniors celebrated, but those in attendance were able to celebrate both teams.

“It feels good, because this wasn't just winning an average game to us,” Ferrell said. “It was us winning something as a family, while we were surrounded by our community."

While Elledge echoed Ferrell’s words, the coach took the game’s value to the Wildcats a step further.

“Being able to bring the community out with LCA and us was great to see, especially on senior night, being able to recognize both teams' seniors,” he said. “Our girls were excited to take the Community Classic Cup, despite our struggles through the season. Being able to show off the hard work that is put in each day is always nice.”

Freshman guard Bristol Barron led Liberty with four points.

The win was the second in as many nights for Wright City, which rolled to a 66-34 victory over Wellsville-Middletown on Thursday.

Ferrell scored 12 of her game-high 17 points in the first half as the Wildcats built a 32-13 lead, and then, working largely with junior varsity players, she helped the team finish out the victory.

“I love, love, love my younger girls just as much as I love the older girls on this team,” Ferrell said. “The younger girls all have that effort and that grit. (Their play) hypes me up so much. It’s great to see (the future).”

While Ferrell led the way, nine girls etched their names on the scoresheet.

That fact had Elledge beaming.

“It was great all around to see the varsity kids getting points to build confidence headed toward the postseason,” Elledge said. “It was great to get the bench in, too. Those are girls who might have to play a role the rest of this season and will, definitely, have to play a bigger role going forward.”  

After Ferrell, Wright City received 15 points from McRoberts and 11 from Mikus.