Excelsior Springs used a commanding first half to open 2023 victoriously in varsity girls basketball. Sparked by a 27-4 half, the Tigers crushed Kansas City-based based Southeast 46-10 Jan. 5 at the Interscholastic League Fieldhouse in Kansas City. It was their lone game last week. After trading two-point buckets with the Knights, the Tigers scored eight straight points to lead 10-2 after one quarter. Southeast scored the first bucket of the second quarter – a two-pointer. Excelsior Springs closed the quarter with a 17-0 run. The Tigers continued to control the pace in the third quarter, outscoring the Knights 13-4. They then outscored the Knights 6-2 the final quarter. Defense helped the Tigers claim the 36-point victory. Excelsior Springs forced 28 turnovers and scored 28 points off of turnovers. Offensively, Baylee O’Dell led the way with 13 points. The junior’s stat line also included seven rebounds and thr...