Seniors are counted on to make big plays, especially in big games. On Wednesday night in the Class 5 sectionals, Kickapoo senior guard Isaac Johnson sure delivered.
With his team in an early hole against rival Nixa, Johnson made a shot that may have turned the game—in the first quarter. Just seconds ahead of the first-quarter horn, Johnson stuck a step-back 3-pointer, propelling Kickapoo on a 10-0 run.
“We were up 16-6 and had the ball,” Nixa coach Jay Osborne said. “But we shot it quick, they hit a 3, and it’s a different game.”
Added Kickapoo coach Dick Rippee: “Issac hitting that shot was huge. That was a big momentum changer.”
Johnson finished with 19 points (5-of-8 3s) for the Chiefs as Kickapoo downed Nixa 65-44, outscoring the Eagles by 20 in the second half (38-18). Jared Ridder led all scorers with 23 points (6-of-8 3s) and five blocks. Chase Allen added 13 points for Nixa while freshman guard Braeden Combs scored 11 points on just six shots.
Kickapoo (27-2) shot 49 percent from the field (25 of 51) and made 13 of 23 3-point attempts. After making seven of its first 11 shots (64 percent), Nixa made 11 of its final 35 (31 percent).
Nixa (23-6) was strong at the start on Wednesday, scoring 13 of the game’s first 16 points as they pounded the ball inside to big-men Chase Allen (6-foot-7) and Christian Bundy (6-foot-6).
“Nixa came out with a great game plan,” Rippee said. “They were very aggressive. They took it right at our guys.”
Nixa—ranked No. 10 in Class 5—also played outstanding defense, holding Kickapoo—ranked No. 4—to one made basket in its first 10 attempts. But Kickapoo responded. After its 10-0 run got them back in the game, the Chiefs took control late in the half when Johnson beat the buzzer again with a 3-pointer, this time from the left-wing that put Kickapoo in front 27-26 at the break. The Chiefs didn’t trail again.
“That’s what seniors are supposed to do,” Rippee said of Johnson, who has committed to play at Drury University next year. “He’s been here before. I thought he was fantastic tonight.”
Nixa played with Kickapoo in the third quarter before Ridder took over. After the Eagles tied the game 33-33 on a Bundy layup with 2:34 remaining, Ridder banged back-to-back 3s, putting the Chiefs ahead for good.
“He’s the best player in southwest Missouri,” Johnson said. “I’m glad he’s on my team and not another team.”
Ridder’s presence was also felt at the defensive end, where the 6-foot-7 junior not only blocked five shots but altered many more.
“He was pretty special tonight,” Rippee said.
In the fourth quarter, Kickapoo pulled away. The Chiefs made 10 of 12 shots and outscored Nixa 26-10, earning their first Class 5 quarterfinal appearance since 2013. They’ll face Blue Springs South—the reigning state champion—at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday in Bolivar, Mo.
“I’ve never been this far,” Johnson said. “I’m gonna take in every moment of it. We’ll get back to work tomorrow, and then it should be a fun one on Saturday.”
Kickapoo 65, Nixa 44
Kickapoo 9 18 12 26 65
Nixa 16 10 8 10 44
Kickapoo: Jared Ridder 23, Isaac Johnson 19, Cameron Davis 9, Niekie Thomas-Fontleroy 7, Isaac Blakeslee 3, Michael Fowler 2, Travis Vokolek 2
Nixa: Chase Allen 13, Braeden Combs 11, Christian Bundy 8, Garrett Bacon 7, Seth Viebrock 3, Preston Flood 2
