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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
It’s not easy being on the cusp of history.
Competing in last week’s Rogersville Tournament, Strafford coach Steve Frank could sense something wasn’t right.
The Lady Indians were closing in on the state record for consecutive wins.
Pressure mounted.
“I could see it on the girls’ faces,” he said. “I asked Hayley (Frank) on the way home, ‘Do we have a problem on the team?’ She goes, ‘Dad, we have everything to lose and nothing to gain right now.’”
Finally achieving history can make you breathe a little easier.
Strafford set the MSHSAA record for consecutive wins (103) on Thursday night, defeating Republic 69-42 at home. Marshfield set the previous record of 102 from 1987-1990.
Twin sisters Kayley and Hayley Frank scored 18 apiece for Strafford, which improved to 20-0 overall this season.
“It’s amazing playing for this community and seeing how much they’ve supported us,” Hayley Frank said. “I don’t really have words to describe this feeling. It’s pretty special.”
Strafford hasn’t lost since January 21, 2016. The Lady Indians fell 55-53 to, coincidentally, Marshfield that night.
Since then, Strafford has reeled off 103 straight wins and a trio of Class 3 state championships.
“(The wins record) is a little bit of a different feeling,” Hayley Frank said. “You talk about not losing for three years… but it’s not just about each night that we step on the floor.
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“It’s about each morning in the offseason, at practice and getting everyone to buy in. It’s for the team. Everything’s for the team.”
So, which is more impressive: 103 straight wins over nearly four seasons or three straight state titles (so far)?
“That’d be hard to say,” Steve Frank said. “It does feel really good. It’s an accomplishment a lot of people have talked about, and I’ve tried not to talk about. Now, maybe I can sit back and talk about it a little more.
“I just hope our kids can relax now, have fun and enjoy the remainder of the season that’s left.”
Republic hung tough in the first half. Strafford led by only 10 in the final minute of the second quarter.
But a 3-pointer by Kyndall Compton to end the first half and a 3-pointer from Hayley Frank to start the second half would get Strafford going.
Strafford’s 13-point halftime lead quickly swelled to more than 20 in the third quarter.
“I thought, first half, we were right there,” said Republic coach Kris Flood. “We just played a bad 1:30 in the second quarter and the game kind of got away from us. Then, third quarter, they come out and hit their first three or four shots and they just built off that.
“When they’re doing that, it’s tough.”
A few weeks ago, Strafford was positioned to set the wins record in a January 21 road game at Cardinal Ritter in St. Louis.
But a Jan. 12 game was postponed due to weather, pushing back the potential record-setting game to Jan. 24 at home against Republic.
The fans showed up. It was standing-room only to witness history.
“Being able to do it on our home court is so incredible,” Hayley Frank said. “All these people here. Our student section was awesome tonight. I have to give thanks to all these people that have supported us. It was not even a team effort. There were so many people behind this (record).”
In a pregame announcement, Strafford highlighted former players who contributed during its record-setting run.
The Lady Indians also honored former players on the record-setting Marshfield team who attended the game.
That Marshfield team included future Missouri State players Melody Howard and Julie Howard, who helped the Lady Bears reach the NCAA women’s final four in 1992.
Before Strafford’s run, no girls’ team in Missouri had won 60 or more consecutive games in nearly 25 years.
“After you saw this group (Strafford) put together and got it rolling, I thought it was a real good possibility they could do it,” Flood said. “Then they added some pieces and you could see, yeah, it’s a real distinct possibility.”
“It doesn’t shock me. And that Marshfield group was a special group.”
Strafford 69, Republic 42
Republic 6 10 8 18 — 42
Strafford 15 14 22 18 — 69
Republic – Jazzy Kirby 9, Bartelsmeyer 8, Powell-Goodman 7, Fronabarger 6, Ward 5, Jade Kirby 5, Barrett 2
Strafford – H. Frank 18, K. Frank 18, Chittenden 11, Dortman 6, Chadwell 5, E. Compton 3, K. Compton 3, Treat 3, Jones 2
