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By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Republic, Mo. — When Macey Putt gets rolling, good things typically follow for Ozark.
The 6-foot-2 senior poured in a game-high 19 points to lead the red Lady Tigers to a convincing, 65-46 victory over Republic Monday night.
The win guarantees Ozark at least a share of the Central Ozark Conference – Large Division title with Carl Junction. With a win at Webb City Thursday, Ozark will win the conference outright.
Ozark jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter thanks to a 14-4 run keyed by Katie Mayes and Madi Braden. The sophomore duo combined to score 14 of Ozark’s 21 points in the quarter.
Ozark head coach David Brewer attributed the team’s recent success to its younger players maturation and consistent play.
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“The last three or four weeks, some of these young kids are really starting to grow up,” Brewer said. “We’ve had three, four, five games in a row where play has been more consistent; we’re getting more balance in our scoring.”
Ozark took a 37-24 lead into the break and then stretched its advantage with a 6-0 run to start the second half.
After scoring seven points in the first half, Putt took over in the third as Ozark found repeated success lobbing the ball inside. The Arkansas State volleyball commit scored eight points in the third quarter, most of which were due to interior lobs.
“Sometimes, I’m not under control, so I focused on that,” Putt said. “Just take my time to get under control and then go up strong. We saw [the lob] was open, so we gave it there.”
Mayes and Braden joined Putt in double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively.
While Ozark was able to capitalize on its significant size advantage, unselfish ball movement and the ability to feed passes inside was a key component to the game, according to Brewer.
“Republic has a lot of guards, and they’re not really big on the inside,” Brewer said. “They tried to come and pressure our guards more, which left us a little more one-on-one inside, and we did a good job getting it in there.”
Ozark also managed to convert 16 of 17 free throw opportunities on the evening and went a perfect 8-8 in the fourth quarter.
As much success as it had on the offensive interior, Ozark’s defensive effort made an even bigger impact in the contest.
“We guarded really, really well tonight,” Brewer said. “They didn’t get an open look hardly all evening.”
Republic was led by 18 points from senior Brylee Manes.
Both teams are set to close out the regular season this week. Republic (13-10) visits Rogersville Wednesday, Feb. 21, while Ozark (16-8) travels to Webb City Thursday, Feb. 22. District play for both teams begins Monday, Feb. 26.
Varsity Final: Ozark – 65, Republic – 46
Ozark 21 16 14 14 — 65
Republic 12 12 11 11 — 46
Ozark scoring: Macey Putt – 19, Katie Mayes – 13, Madi Braden – 11, Olivia Hanks – 9, Anna Hitt – 6, Annie Schear – 5, Brooke Pace – 2
Republic scoring: Brylee Manes – 18, Halli Bartlesmeyer – 8, Megan Branstetter – 7, Avy Powell-Qualo – 7, Anna Bell – 4, Lacee Welcher – 2
Frosh Final: Republic – 45, Ozark – 29
(Savana Powell-Goodman – 21 points)
JV Final: Republic – 53, Ozark – 39
(Carle Ward – 18 points)
