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By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
A lot of injuries but never any excuses.
With a reshuffled lineup and a resilient attitude, the Kickapoo Lady Chiefs are district champions for a third straight season.
Kickapoo pulled away in the second half to defeat Nixa 57-45 in Thursday night’s Class 5 District 11 Tournament title game at Parkview High School.
Sophomore Macie Conway led three Lady Chiefs in double figures with 17 points.
“I’m so proud of my team,” said Lady Chiefs coach Jim Pendergrass. “With everything they’ve gone through this year, to be able to come out here and win a district championship, it’s always a great feeling.”
Trailing by one at halftime, Kickapoo outscored Nixa 16-6 in the third quarter to take control for good. The Lady Chiefs have won eight straight against Nixa dating back to the 2014-15 season.
“We’ve gotten through (the injuries),” said Lady Chiefs senior guard Leah Fredrick. “We’re playing better. And we’re here now.”
The Lady Chiefs (18-10) will play Republic (19-9 overall) in the Class 5 sectional round at 6 p.m. on March 11 at Webb City High School. Kickapoo lost 55-51 at Republic on Jan. 9.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Injuries have tested Kickapoo’s depth all season.
The Lady Chiefs have been without sophomore Bella Fontleory – who was first team all-conference as a freshman – all season due to a knee injury.
Junior guard Chloe Merced, another first team all-conference player, played a handful of games before going down with a season-ending knee injury as well.
Only recently did key reserves Madie Barrett and Rachel Senn return from their injuries. Senn had 10 points against Nixa.
“We needed some bodies,” Fredrick said. “It’s nice to have (Madie and Rachel) back out there.”
Pendergrass said he’s never coached a team that’s dealt with so many injuries.
“But (our players) have never used it as an excuse,” he said. “It’s easy to find an excuse. We found a way.”
Kickapoo led by 14 early in the fourth after a basket from Indya Green and a three-point play by Brooke Turner.
Turner, who finished with eight points, also a key putback down the stretch after Nixa cut Kickapoo’s lead to seven.
“It took a lot of effort from a lot of people tonight,” Pendergrass said.
Nixa sophomore Rhianna Gibbons scored a game-high 22. The Lady Eagles fell behind by 10 early but led 23-22 at halftime.
Foul trouble and missed free throws hindered the Lady Chiefs. The Lady Chiefs were 14-for-25 at the line overall, including 0-for-7 in the second quarter.
Nixa was 10-for-12 at the free throw line in the first half, but only attempted four free throws in the final two quarters.
“(At halftime), we talked about cleaning up our defense, playing hard… just being in better position and not fouling on their drives,” Fredrick said.
Kickapoo 57, Nixa 45
Nixa 10 13 6 16 — 45
Kickapoo 14 8 16 9 — 57
Nixa (13-14 overall) – Rhianna Gibbons 22, Kenzie Hines 8, Norah Clark 5, Gabby Nielsen 4, Katie Kamies 2, Allison Kamies 2, Tori Yantis 2
Kickapoo (18-10 overall) – Macie Conway 17, Indya Green 12, Rachel Senn 10, Brooke Turner 8, Leah Fredrick 6, Kaylee Corbin 2, Madie Barrett 2
