Sam Queathem was happy that she got to visit Sedalia on March 2.

The Montgomery County senior played her first sectional basketball game at the same town she will be starting her college basketball career. She will play for State Fair Community College next year.

“That was definitely something special,” Queathem said.

Unfortunately, Queathem left Sedalia with a loss. The Wildcats’ outstanding season ended with a 59-25 loss to the Tipton Cardinals in a Class 3 sectional game at Smith-Cotton High School, just three miles from State Fair Community College.

In the final seconds of the game, Queathem burst into tears when she headed to the bench and hugged the coaches and players.

“It definitely was very emotional,” said Queathem, MCHS’ only senior. “It was never the way you wanted to end. But it was a tough game. It was a tough loss. We were playing in an atmosphere we have never been in. We were all nervous. Shots weren’t falling. We didn’t play a very good game. The experience was great, but the game wasn’t. I will forever remember this and it will always hold a special place in my heart. I love all of the girls on the team and I would do anything for them.”

The Wildcats finished their season at 20-8. They advanced to sectional play by beating Hermann in the District 7 title game on Feb. 26, their first district championship since 1998.

The 25 points marked a season low for MCHS. Coach Joe Basinger said despite the tough loss, he was proud with the way his team performed this season.

“My message to them was don’t let this moment overlook all of the things that we accomplished this year,” said Basinger, who has a 98-65 record in his six years as coach. “To me, that was the big message. Also, use what we feel right now as our fuel to get to where we don’t have to feel this way in this game a year from now.”

Tipton, which won its fifth straight district title on Feb. 25, improved to 25-4 with the win over the Wildcats. The Cardinals stormed to a 14-0 lead and never looked back. Myra Claas scored 23 points to lead the Moniteau County school.

“The biggest thing that separates us from some people is we’re not afraid to get our butts kicked by somebody,” Tipton coach Jason Culpepper said. “We don’t mind getting our butts kicked by Skyline, going to Rolla on the first game of the year, facing Blue Eye down there in Ozark or facing Leeton, which is another Final Four team. We’re looking to play the best competition we can play. Whether we get beat in December or January, it doesn’t make any difference because it allows us to expose our weaknesses and make them strengths like I thought we did against Montgomery County.”

Queathem turned in a strong effort in the losing cause, scoring 11 points off the bench. She was the only MCHS player in double figures.

“Sam has done so much for this program,” Basinger said. “She made an Elite Eight run with the softball team in her freshman year. She has been part of three conference championship teams and a district championship team. Not a lot of kids can go through what she went through, stay positive, get herself back into a position to be able to contribute and be a focal point of what we’re trying to do. I can’t say enough good things about that kid.”

Queathem joined the team on Jan. 26 after missing the first half of the season due to an injury she suffered during softball season. She immediately played a valuable role, helping the Wildcats win 11 of their next 13 games and capture their straight Eastern Missouri Conference championship.

“It was great playing with them,” Queathem said. “I was glad that I got to be back on the court this season. Winning conference and districts after I came back was amazing.”

Now, Queathem is looking forward to coming back to Sedalia next year and playing at the next level. She’s joining a State Fair program that is coached by Nicole Collier.

“I’m excited to come play basketball there, especially for coach Collier,” Queathem said. “She is an amazing person. I met a few of the girls. I’m excited to be able to play basketball again.”