Lady Tigers split COC matchups; wallop Columbia Hickman, 55-28, in defensive clinic

The Republic Lady Tigers opened their Central Ozark Conference season with a win at Neosho, followed it up with a loss to state-ranked Carl Junction, then stepped
out of league play to blow out Columbia Hickman.
In the COC opener, Republic sprinted to a 16-2 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, winning 63-27 at Neosho.
“I thought we came out
aggressive ... defensively and hit a couple shots. I was really happy with the effort on the boards,” said coach Kris Flood. “We had multiple possessions where we were getting three, four looks. We didn’t shoot real well, but dad gum, we were giving ourselves opportunities with extra possessions, so we’re real happy with that.”
Eight different players scored for the Lady Tigers. Three of them finished in double figures: Kaemyn Bekemeier had 15, Jazzy Kirby had 11, and Jade Kirby had 10.
Republic scoring: Kaemyn Bekemeier 15, Jazzy Kirby 11, Jade Kirby 10, Delaney Smith 7, Shealyn Barrett 6, Kaitlyn Ragsdale 5, Clara Fronabarger 5, Savana Powell- Goodman 4

At Carl Junction, the undefeated Lady Bulldogs built a 17-point lead early in the third quarter, then watched it slowly slip away. But a last-second shot by Clara Fronabarger was off the mark, allowing Carl Junction to escape with a 50-48 win.
The difference in the game was the second quarter, when Carl Junction outscored Republic 17-2. After the Lady Bulldogs opened the third quarter with a basket, the lead was 33-16. But the Lady Tigers outscored Carl Junction 32-17 the rest of the way, getting the margin down to one possession, then forcing a turnover to give themselves one last chance to tie or take the lead. A Carl Junction defender batted away a pass in the lane, and by the time Fronabarger got the ball back on the perimeter, she had to rush her shot.
“If it went in, it would have been a heck of a win, but I’m still proud of the way the kids played. We’ve got a long way to go. We’ve just got to keep battling...and getting a little better with some fundamental stuff.”
Republic’s defense caused plenty of problems for Carl Junction, forcing 11 turnovers in the full- court press alone. But the Lady Tigers were unable to take advantage, committing too-frequent turnovers
themselves and missing a couple of point-blank shots that could have swung the outcome in their favor.
Republic scoring: Kaemyn Bekemeier 15, Jade Kirby 13, Delaney Smith 9, Jazzy Kirby 7, Clara Fronabarger 2, Savana Powell- Goodman 2

The Republic defense was as good as it’s been all season in a win on the road at Columbia Hickman. The Kewpies managed just three field goals in the first three quarters as Republic won easily, 55-28. Jazzy Kirby led Republic with 15 points, including nine in the first half. Clara Fronabarger also finished in double figures with 10
points. Republic improves to 8-5.
They’re off until Thursday, when they’ll play the first of three games in three days at the Nixa Invitational.
Republic scoring: Jazzy Kirby 15, Clara Fronabarger 10, Savana Powell-Goodman 8, Kaemyn Bekemeier 8, Jade Kirby 8, Kaitlyn Ragsdale 4, Shealyn Barrett 2

Category:

Lawrence County Record

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

Facebook

Please Login for Premium Content