By Pat Dailey (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
COLUMBIA — What a hat trick Rae Little enjoyed Saturday. She had the unique honor of part of three, count ‘em three, state championship celebrations.
Little cheered on her younger brothers as Chadwick’s boys repeated as Class 1 state champs.
She walked out with her mother, Jessi, as the Lady Cardinals’ Class 1 2005 state champions were honored by MSHSAA at halftime of the Class 1 girls championship game.
Finally, Little made her own state championship memory by leading Chadwick to a 44-43 victory versus Northeast Cairo in the girls’ Class 1 final.
Little’s state champion stats line included 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
“I’m overjoyed,” Little said. “I’m so happy. With my Mom (as an assistant coach), she’s taught me so much about basketball. It’s really special, not everyone’s parent gets to be their coach and get to be there on the bench for everything. I’ll remember it for the rest of my life, and I know she’ll remember it for the rest of her life.”
Chadwick took a big step toward winning its championship by winning the battle of the boards against a Northeast front line that included 6-foot-2 center Macie Harman.
The Lady Cardinals not only held their own on the boards, they outrebounded Northeast 36-25. Chadwick had 12 offensive rebounds, leading to nine second-chance points.
“Look at the rebounding, we held them to five offensive rebounds,” Chadwick coach Jim Pendergrass said while singing his team’s winning virtues. “We made it difficult on them to score. We had people step up.”
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Chadwick totaled 26 points in the paint.
Little drew the assignment of defending Harmon. She kept her to 13 points, one below her season average.
“I’ve never had to guard someone that tall,” Little said. “We knew they did the high-low a lot, that’s their go-to. I tried to buckle down and back her out. Millie (Burkhart) and Ella (Herd) helped. I would front her and they would be behind. It was a team effort.”
Chadwick’s scoring was spread out. In addition to Little’s contributions, Burkhart had 10 points, Macy Landry nine and Emily Landry eight.
“Ella stepped up with her rebounding and defense down low. Millie stepped up and hit some big shots,” Pendergrass said. “Macy had a tough first half. I challenged her like I’ve never challenged her before. In the second half, she played incredibly well.”
Chadwick and Northeast were tied at 40 with :59 remaining. The difference in the final minute was the Lady Cardinals getting to the free-throw line.
Emily Landry made two free throws with :42 to play and Macy Landry followed up with two free throws of her own with :13 remaining to put Chadwick in control 44-40.
For Pendergrass, it was the second state championship of his coaching career. He won a title with Kickapoo in 2016.
In his first go-around with the Lady Cardinals, he gained a great appreciation for them.
“They’re so united and bonded,” Pendergrass said. “It’s really hard to ever break them. Their resiliency is incredible. Their grit is unmatched. They’re able to find a way in the toughest situations when everything is against them. Their mental toughness is incredible.”
Little is confident Chadwick can continue its winning ways.
“We’ve got six (team) managers that are going to be coming in (as freshmen),” she said. “I feel like with them being here and getting to experience (this) is a confidence booster for them. They can say. ‘Hey, we can go to State like they did.’”
Chadwick 44, Northeast Cairo 43
NORTHEAST (43) — C. Brumley 1-3 2-2 5, A. Brumley 7-13 0-0 17, Harman 6-10 1-2 13, Cros 2-8 1-2 6, Hankins 1-4 0-0 2, David 0-2 0-0 0, Bailey 0-5 0-0 0.
CHADWICK (44) — Little 4-12 3-6 11, Herd 3-6 0-0 6, E. Landry 2-7 4-4 8, M. Landry 3-13 2-4 9, Burkhart 5-7 0-0 10, Combs 0-2 0-0 0.
Northeast 8 10 9 16 – 43
Chadwick 10 12 9 13 – 44
3-point goals – Northeast 5-14, Chadwick 1-7. Rebounding – Chadwick 36 (Little 8), Northeast 25 (Hankins 7). Assists – Chadwick 8 (Little 4), Northeast 8 (Cross 3). Turnovers – Chadwick 12, Northeast 9. Steals – Northeast 6 (Cross 3), Chadwick 3 (Little 2).
