By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
COLUMBIA, MO – As far as curtain calls go, Elsie Larsen picked a winner.
Four games removed from a season-ending ACL tear, Larsen didn’t merely watch No. 1 Strafford down No. 2 Doniphan 75-55 in the Class 4 state championship.
The 5-foot-10 all-state senior helped lead the Indians to the game’s opening basket with an assist to sophomore Trista VanHorn before getting subbed out during a quick timeout from head coach Dustin Larsen.
“What was great about (the assist) was really the energy these girls had as they came into that time out, because you don’t know how these things are going to work out,” Coach Larsen said. “We knew Blair could get the tip – we were counting on her to get the tip and put it in, but just for it to be her last assist for her high school career in the state championship game with a group of young ladies that she loves dearly – that’s a pretty special assist.”
From the opening tip, Strafford proved to be the early aggressor, with VanHorn and classmate Kinley Larsen combining for 16 points in the first quarter to give the Indians a 20-13 lead.
The dynamic duo finished the game with 56 points, 31 for Kinley and 25 for VanHorn.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
With his one-two daughter punch unavailable, Coach Larsen praised VanHorn for not only stepping up to fill a void, but for flourishing in the expanded role.
“We were looking for Big T to show up tonight, and she showed up and delivered,” Coach Larsen said of VanHorn’s play. “She’s a gamer; she’s a competitor; she loves to compete, and we just keep trying to dig down a little bit and push her a little bit harder. We knew we had an advantage inside. We needed to find a way to get it there.”
In the second, Strafford continued to force the pace with Kinley Larsen adding another 10 to her game-high 31 points.
“We’ve been practicing and playing and preparing, and everyone has stepped up big, Coach Larsen said. “Kinley is a gamer, as well, and she likes the big lights. When we need big shots, she’s usually going to be involved.”
A 9-0 Indians run stretched the lead to 13 points midway through the quarter; however, Doniphan was able to trim the lead to seven at the half (35-28).
In the third, Doniphan – the 2025 champion – seized momentum behind Carsyn Hagood.
A 5-foot-10 junior, Hagood poured in 10 of her team-high 27 points in the period, bringing the Donettes within two points late.
Twice Strafford’s slim lead was threatened – and twice – the Indians found a way to respond via Kinley Larsen and VanHorn.
“(Coach) said that I needed to step up, and I felt like when (Kinley) stopped up to take over Elsie’s role, I felt like I had to step up as well and be the person to crash; be the person to maybe get the team together,” VanHorn said. “I knew that they were going to be doubling Kinley pretty hard since she was scoring a lot, I knew that we had to put pressure in the paint. We had some open looks, and I just kind of went with it.”
In the fourth, Strafford closed the game out with a punishing 25-5 run.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GAME
Even more impressive?
The Indians’ defense held Doniphan scoreless over the last two minutes and outrebounded the Donnettes 38-16 in the game.
For Coach Larsen, rebounds have always been a crucial stat for Strafford’s championship pursuit.
“We’ve been talking about that since they started playing for me – rebounds a big thing,” Coach Larsen said. “You limit teams to one shot, if possible, because if not, second and third shots will get you beat. To see them go out and clear the glass off and chase some offensive rebounds, it was really awesome just to see.”
As the final buzzer hit, a beaming Elsie Larsen raced out onto the court and hugged anyone and everyone within reach.
“It was a moment I’ll never forget, honestly,” Elsie Larsen said. “Just to be out on the floor one last time and where you dreamed to be, that was the end goal. Just to be back there and get to experience that on the court, it meant a lot, and just to have all my teammates right there with me, and then to get to cheer them on and go win a state championship game – it was just an unreal moment and I’m so grateful I got to do it. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
With the victory, Strafford finishes the magical season with a 29-3 record and the program’s sixth state championship.
Five Strafford seniors will graduate in May, including Elsie Larsen, Lizzy VanHorn, Ayda Baker, Carly Davis and Zoe Allison.
CLASS 4 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: Strafford – 75, Doniphan – 55
Doniphan 13 15 20 07 | 55
Strafford 20 15 18 22 | 75
Doniphan scoring: Carsyn Hagood 27, Tara Davis 10, Ellie White 9, Bella Monaghan 8, Makenna Kirby 1
Strafford scoring: Kinley Larsen 31, Trista VanHorn 25, Lizzy VanHorn 9, Lydia Goodin 5, Blair Bough 5
