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By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Republic Lady Tigers did something Friday night that no other team has been able to do since Jan. 21, 2016 – defeat the Strafford Lady Indians.
“The Streak” was snapped at a Missouri high school-record 123-straight games, as sixth-seeded Republic upset the No. 3 seed Strafford 43-42 in a White Division quarterfinal of the Pink & White Lady Classic at Drury University’s O’Reilly Family Event Center.
The end of the game was no different than the beginning or the middle of the game, which was played at a frenetic pace by both teams.
After corralling a loose ball, Republic junior Jazzy Kirby, who has been suffering from a double ear infection all week, was fouled and headed to the free-throw line with the Lady Tigers up 42-39 and about 15 seconds left in the game – still time for a last shot for Strafford. Kirby hit the first of two free throws to give Republic a 43-39 lead.
Strafford senior Mica Chadwell hit a baseline 3-pointer with two seconds left, pulling the Lady Indians within 43-42. Strafford pressed and fouled, sending Republic again to the line. A Republic miss gave Strafford a shot at the win at the buzzer, but the shot fell short and the streak was over.
“We’ve kind of been talking about it because we were the one they broke the (state) record on, and it kind of came full-circle back around to us, and we were really excited that we had the opportunity to play them again and have the chance to break the record,” said Kirby, who scored a game-high 18 points. “It felt amazing for all of us because we really worked hard for it.”
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And, Kirby did what she does every time she steps to the free-throw line – focused on the shot.
“There was so much going on with the huge crowd and everything, I really try and focus, cancel it all out so I can really focus on just shooting it because it’s a free throw,” Kirby said. “I’ve shot a million of them in my life and it felt good to make it just so it kind of helped seal the deal a little more than we already were.”
Though the streak has ended, first-year Strafford coach Dustin Larsen said he has been blessed with the opportunity to coach this team and be part of the program’s state-record win streak, which also ranks fifth nationally.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these young ladies,” Larsen said. “They’ve just got to understand how blessed they’ve been to be a part of something so special. For it to go as long as it did, is remarkable. They’ve got a lot to be proud of. At the end of the day, the sun is going to come up tomorrow – the good Lord blesses us with it.
“We’ve just got to get back and keep having fun and get better.”
The streak that is still alive, however, is the Lady Indians’ four-straight state championships.
“There’s always that end goal,” Larsen said. “Every team in the state wants to end the season on a win; of course, that is our goal, competing for that streak as well. Our focus is to keep finding ways get better, playing hard, having fun and enjoy the moment.”
Even when Republic took a one-point lead at halftime (24-23), Larsen told his team, “No big deal.”
“But, we got away from doing some things the way we do, offensively, especially,” Larsen said. “Yes, they were pressuring and hats off to them, but we just weren’t disciplined as we really needed to be. We just hurried up a little bit. These girls have shown that they can be disciplined and we did a lot better things in the second half. Republic was just a little bit better.
“Republic has a rich tradition and they’re not going to lay down; you have to earn it. They made us earn every possession and I was super-proud of the way our kids battled and continued to fight. We had an opportunity; it just didn’t fall our way.”
Republic coach Kris Flood was equally as proud of the fight his team showed throughout the game with such a big matchup and the chance to snap Strafford’s streak.
“I was proud of the way we came out, and we fought a little bit of adversity, but the kids just kept battling and didn’t give up,” Flood said. “We just kept fighting. That’s the one thing I will say I feel like with this particular group. They’ve figured out some things, too. They’ve been in some big games like this, and to come out on top, we feel very fortunate.
“A ton of credit to Strafford, a heck of a run. They have a tremendous amount of good kids, good players. The one thing I told our kids is they know how to win. They will battle you. I feel like we earned that one to come out on top.”
And, while it may not have been a pretty win, it was a win.
“I felt like our kids executed the game plan pretty close to what we needed to do,” Flood said. “I was just proud of the effort. It wasn’t always the nicest played game with the turnovers; I felt like both teams turned the ball over a little too much, but a lot of that had to do with the defense that both groups were playing.
“In the second half, they really turned up the intensity and we struggled a little bit with that, but we, for the most part, responded and were able to get some key baskets and maintain that lead and were able to finish it off.”
Larsen said the best way to move on from the disappointment is for his team to get right back after it, which is the nature of the Pink & White.
“I’m just looking forward to playing a game tomorrow,” said Larsen, who will be matched up against his former high school classmate Kevin Cheek and his Skyline Lady Tigers. “It’s the best thing for us; jump right back in with both feet and let’s go have fun and get after it.”
But, for Friday night, the Lady Tigers are going to enjoy this victory.
“We’re, for sure, going to enjoy it, but we can’t sit on it very long because it’s not over,” Kirby said. “That’s a great win and everything, but the Pink & White’s not over and we’re not done yet.”
No. 6 Republic 43, No. 3 Strafford 42
Pink & White Lady Classic
White Division – Quarterfinal game
REPUBLIC 43, STRAFFORD 42
REPUBLIC 12-12-9-10—43
STRAFFORD 16-7-6-13—42
REPUBLIC (5-2) – Delaney Smith 1, Jazzy Kirby 18, Jade Kirby 6, Savana Powell-Goodman 8, Kaemyn Bekemeier 10.
STRAFFORD (8-1) – Mica Chadwell 13, Logan Jones 16, Taylor Treat 11, Taylor Dormann 2.
Up next: Republic vs. Ozark, 7 p.m., Saturday at O’Reilly Family Event Center; Strafford vs. Skyline, 7 p.m., Saturday at Weiser Gym
