Lady Tigers win two more COC games; Bekemeier breaks another record and latest state rankings posted.

Molly Mason scored 10 points in her first start, helping Republic come from behind to beat Nixa Monday. (Photo by Steve Rackley)

Republic (17-3) reopened Central Ozark Conference play at home on Thursday night with a win over the Carthage (9-11), 68-53. Republic only held a one-point lead going into halftime, and Carthage took the lead briefly in the third quarter, but senior Kaemyn Bekemeier scored 14 points in the third period to help Republic regain control. Republic opened the fourth quarter on an 11-2 run and put the game away for good.
Bekemeier celebrated more than just the win, as she continued to break Republic school records. Bekemeier surpassed the career rebounding record of 740 previously held by Amanda Newton. She entered the game needing seven to tie the record and eight to break it -- she grabbed nine boards against Carthage. Bekemeier now holds the single-game, single-season, and career records for both points and rebounds, among other school marks.
Republic was led in scoring by Bekemeier, who finished with 34 points. Lauren Chastain scored 13.

Versus Nixa
Monday at Nixa, the Lady Tigers went on a 17-1 run in the second half to sneak away with a win over the state-ranked Lady Eagles. Nixa led by 10 points with a minute remaining in the third quarter, but Republic held Nixa without a field goal over the next three minuets to turn the 10-point deficit into a six-point lead.
Molly Mason scored 10 points, five of them during the key stretch, and dominated on the boards during Republic’s comeback. Kaemyn Bekemeier led Republic in scoring with 25 points.
Coach Kris Flood, who picked up his 499 career victory, said he kept telling his players to focus on playing their usual game.
"We had to bear down a little bit on defense and try to focus on getting multiple stops, then not press too much offensively," he said. "It seemed liked tonight we didn't have very good ball movement, and we just kept trying to emphasize 'Set some screens, move the ball, make five or six passes, and you'll eventually get a good shot.’"
Republic had trailed for only a few seconds in the first half before using its big run to take the lead early in the fourth quarter, and the Lady Tigers never trailed again after that.
Republic (Class 6 No. 3) improved to 18-3 overall and 2-1 in the Central Ozark Conference. Nixa (Class 6 No. 7) fell to 15-5 (2-2).

Lady Tigers stay at #3, Tigers fall in latest state rankings
The newest Missouri Basketball Coaches Association state rankings have come out and both Republic teams continue to be in the top 10 for Class 6, with the Lady Tigers holding steady but the Tigers dropping despite continuing their win streak.
The Lady Tigers held at third, with Incarnate Word and Truman continuing to hold the top two spots. Raytown, Park Hill South, and Grain Valley are the four through six teams. Central Ozark Conference foe Nixa stays ranked at No. 7. Columbia Hickman, Columbia Rock Bridge, and Raytown South round out the top 10.
The Republic boys are ranked eighth in this week’s poll, dropping one spot from the last poll. Staley continues to be ranked No. 1, with Nixa, Oak Park, Lee's Summit West and Park Hill South rounding out the top five. Just ahead of the Tigers at six and seven are CBC and Kirkwood. Chaminade and Kickapoo are nine and 10.
 

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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