By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
SPRINGFIELD, MO – Kickapoo showcased its depth during Monday afternoon’s 59-44 victory over Logan-Rogersville in the Pink & White Lady Classic, as reserve guard Anyiah Doig scored a team-high 15 points.
The 5-foot-5 sophomore was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers.
Kickapoo head coach Leslie Hanchey praised Doig’s development, patience and ability to capitalize on Monday’s opportunity.
“Since the beginning of the season, (Doig) has gotten better and better every day, just slowly working herself into it,” Hanchey said. “You saw the hard work she’s been putting in, and you saw she was the difference-maker for us in the second half.”
Josie Salazar (11), Mikayla Pilley (10) and Allison Scott (10) also scored in double-figures for the Chiefs.
A 10-2 run allowed Kickapoo to grab the early lead behind the interior efforts of Scott, Salazar and Lexi Ringgold.
After the Chiefs extended the lead to 28-14 at the half, Rogersville looked to mount a comeback behind standout Hailey Buckman.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
The 6-foot junior scored 11 of her game-high 29 points in the quarter; however, the Wildcats were unable to trim the lead beyond nine points.
Buckman, along with 6-foot-1 teammate Reagan Rasmussen drew most of Kickapoo’s defensive focus in the matchup.
“Our goal was to make sure we could eliminate their two players – Buckman and Rasmussen,” Hanchey said. “They are such great players, and we knew everything was going to run through them. So, we were just making sure we focused on them as much as possible and played as physical as we could without fouling, – which didn’t always work – but I feel like our physicality and pace of play kind of wore them down a little bit.”
Rogersville’s defensive efforts also paid late dividends, as the Wildcats held Kickapoo’s starting five to a mere 10 points in the second half.
Thanks to Doig’s heroics, those 10 points proved to be more than enough.
“It’s just a role I have to play,” Doig said. “I’m just open, I guess – I just get to the basket. I know I have to play, so I just fulfill it, because I can’t let my team down.”
The victory moves Kickapoo one step closer to a fourth PWLC championship, and Hanchey believes her program is up for the challenge.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GAME
“We always look forward to the Pink & White, because we always know we’re going to get four good games if we take care of business the first two days, and it’s always fun” Hanchey said. “There’s a lot of talented basketball in southwest Missouri, and even though we’re one of the bigger schools, a lot of those smaller area schools are just as good.”
Kickapoo (7-2) will face Strafford (9-3) tomorrow at 2:00 pm in the Pink Division championship, while Rogersville (8-2) meets Skyline (8-1) in the 11:00 am third place matchup.
Varsity Final: Kickapoo – 59, Rogersville – 44
Rogersville 7 7 21 9 — 44
Kickapoo 14 14 17 11 — 58
Rogersville scoring: Hailey Buckman 29, Sidney Holland 5, Addison Cleghorn 4, Millie MacPherson 3, Reagan Rasmussen 3, Eden Kibby 2
Kickapoo scoring: Anniah Doig 15, Josie Salazar 11, Mikayla Pilley 10, Allison Scott 10, Lexi Ringgold 6, Taylyn Whited 3 Ni’Ell Ross 2
