BOLIVAR — A slow start offensively created too big of a hole for Ava to overcome as its season came to an end in the Class 4 state quarterfinals.
A 36-27 loss to Southern Boone ended the Lady Bears' season at 25-5. They won their third-consecutive district title and have won 21 or more games in each of the last three years.
The game also marked the end of star senior Sara Mendel's high school career. The Southwest Baptist-bound forward ended her career as the school's all-time leading scorer.
Mendel did the majority of the scoring for the Lady Bears who were limited to just two points in the opening quarter.