Paris girls basketball hasn’t had a start like this in six years.

Paris vs La Plata Photo Gallery

The Lady Coyotes picked up a victory that has been elusive in previous years when they won at the Moberly Holiday Shootout at Moberly Area Community College on Friday, defeating La Plata 45-32. They were 3-0, including 2-0 the past two years against La Plata (5-3), at the Moberly shootout.

Head coach Garrett Thomas said the shootout performance is indicative of the Lady Coyotes as a whole this season during their 8-3 start. Paris started well by leading 13-5 after one quarter and built a lead as big as 18 points.

“They shot the ball better this year,” Thomas said. “We are just older and wiser now. When we go in these little rolls like we turn the ball over some or shots go in that shouldn’t go in for them, we don’t dwell on it. We tend to move on, and we limit those rough stretches.”

Melanie Moore ended a 10-0 run to close the first half for Paris with a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Moore finished with 13 points, Reese Sutton followed with 10 points, Alyssa Webb had eight points and Gretchen Crusha added seven points off the bench.

Paris knocked down more shots but forced La Plata to give up the basketball often. Moore had the basketball in these transition opportunities a lot of the time, but other Lady Coyotes made up a stronger defensive unit.

“Our defense has improved from last year a lot,” Moore said. “Our coach recognized what we were doing wrong last year and then he helped us improve this year.”

Moore said the execution has been good on defense and offense. Defense, in particular, has limited Paris’ opponents to under 40 points in four straight games.

Thomas said Paris has many good defenders who can play several different varieties well. He said the Lady Coyotes can handle man-to-man defense and zone and use them to fit the situation. Thursday’s situation called for a 3-2 zone to limit Layne Mack at the 3-point line, Thomas said, as she finished with seven points and one 3-pointer.

“Our 3-2 zone does a good job in general of keeping girls space at the perimeter and not letting those girls get hot,” Thomas said.

Paris owned a 25-12 halftime lead, which Thomas said this was definitely impressive since Paris was missing starter Sophia Crusha due to sickness and Ava Crain due to vacation. Alexis Damron, Lily Wheaton and Gretchen Crusha all played bigger roles this time and played them well according to Thomas.

Taking shots became difficult for La Plata with the Lady Coyotes patrolling the perimeter. Thomas said he can’t take the credit for girls who are playing with much effort and intelligence.

“Melanie Moore and Emma Ashenfelter both have a really good feel when to extend and when to pull it back and what girls to pressure and what girls to play off of,” Thomas said. “That’s not me. That’s just them being smart defenders.”

Thomas is happy that Paris finally won in the Moberly shootout after losing to Cairo three years ago and La Plata the previous two years. He said going into the next calendar year with a victory is also good before Paris plays host Salisbury (4-4) in the first round of the Salisbury Invitational Tournament at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7.

Moore said there are good feelings in the locker room right now and hopes their improved knowledge can lead to more good feelings.

“They’re pretty hype,” Moore said. “They’re really proud of me, and I’m also really proud of them as well.”