REPUBLIC GIRLS 74, JOPLIN 24
NIXA, Mo. — Top-seeded Republic suffocated eighth-seeded Joplin early on the way to building a big lead the Tigers never relinquished in the opening-round win of the Class 6 District 5 tournament hosted by Nixa High School.
Republic (24-3) went to work early, building a 21-2 lead after the first quarter. The Tigers pushed the lead to 29 by halftime and limited the Eagles offensively to 10 points in the second half.
Joplin closes the season with a 4-23 record and graduates seniors Serafina Auberry, Brynn Driver, Izzy Yust and Jill McDaniel.
Molly Blades led Republic with 18 points, while Kaemyn Bekemeier finished with 16 points. Lanney Strong, Alainna Norman each finished with eight points.
Auberry finished with 12 points to lead the Eagles. Maria Loum and Bailey Ledford had four points each.
Republic advances to take on fifth-seeded Ozark in the district semifinals on Saturday.
KICKAPOO GIRLS 64, CARTHAGE 40
NIXA, Mo. — Third-seeded Kickapoo started fast and didn’t look back in an opening-round win over sixth-seeded Carthage in the Class 6 District 5 tournament on Thursday.
The Chiefs (21-6) jumped out to a 22-5 lead after the first quarter and led by 22 at the intermission. Kickapoo added to its lead in the third quarter and finished off the win in the final eight minutes.
“Kickapoo came out and hit shots early and often in the first quarter,” Carthage coach Scott Moore said to SoMo Sports. “Unfortunately, we did not. When we missed, they turned it into a track meet and we couldn’t get back quickly enough to stop them. I thought we settled in and played much better the final three quarters, but it’s hard to overcome a 17-point first quarter deficit to a good team like Kickapoo.”
The Tigers finish the season with a 12-15 record and graduate seniors Kianna Yates, the program’s all-time leading scorer, and Landry Cochran.
“I’m really proud of our two seniors,” Moore said. “They have been leaders on the court, in the classroom and in the community for four years. They are very beloved within our program and their legacy will last a long time in Carthage. They will be greatly missed by their teammates, their coaches and the Lady Tigers fans.”
Lauren Choate led Carthage with 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Yates finished with 10 points.
Mikayla Pilley had 22 points to lead Kickapoo, while Miya Nieto had 11 points and three 3-pointers.
Kickapoo advances to take on second-seeded Nixa in the district semifinals at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
NIXA GIRLS 65, NEOSHO 30
NIXA, Mo. — Second-seeded Nixa jumped out in front of seventh-seeded Neosho and cruised to an opening-round win in district action.
The Wildcats finished the season with a 10-17 record and graduate seniors Meredith Baldwin, Karlee Ellick, Maelynn Garrett, Reagan McInturff and Raine Harris.
No other information was made available.
