The Lady Tigers handed head coach Kris Flood his 400th career victory, and they punched their ticket to another district championship game while they were at it. The top-seeded Lady Tigers overcame a slow start to blow out Carthage 63-31, advancing to play second-seeded Nixa Friday in the title game at Neosho.
Republic led just 10-9 at the end of the first quarter, but began to pull away after that. Republic outscored Carthage 17-12 in the second period and took a 27-21 lead into the halftime break.
But the second half was all Republic. Carthage managed just four points in the third quarter and just ten points in the second half, while Republic found its footing offensively. Republic outscored Carthage 36-10 after halftime.
“The second half felt a lot better. I thought the effort was better. Defensively, it seemed like we were a little more focused in the second half,” says Flood. ” zone gave us some trouble in the first half. They kept adjusting and switching whether it was a three-guard front or a two-guard front.”
Avy Powell-Qualo had a big night, scoring 18 points. Megan Branstetter added 14 and Brylee Manes was also in double figures with 11. Seven different players scored for Republic, who improved to 15-11.
For Flood, the win marked his 400th career victory as head coach. He says he hadn’t thought much about the milestone when the season started.
“I didn’t realize I was that close,” he says. “I’ve had 19 years. I’ve coached a lot of years and I’ve had a lot of really good players…to help achieve that goal.”
The win sets up an opportunity for Republic to win its fifth consecutive district championship Friday night. Nixa stands in the way, after the Lady Eagles beat Neosho in their semifinal.
“We’re going to have to get off to a little better start Friday night, but at least we’ve given ourselves a chance to be in that spot to play for a district championship,” Flood says.
The girls district championship game starts at 6 p.m. Friday at Neosho High School.
Individual Scoring
Avy Powell-Qualo 18, Megan Branstetter 14, Brylee Manes 11, Halli Bartelsmeyer 8, Anna Bell 6, Lacee Walcher 3, Morgan McGuire 2
Find out how you can get $25 worth of free photos as a subscriber to Republic Tiger Sports magazine. Sign up now, before this offer runs out!
Farr Better Player of the Game
Avy Powell-Qualo took the ball right at the heart of the Carthage defense, and then right to the bucket. Powell-Qualo had one of her best games of the season, scoring 18 points to lead Republic into the district championship game, and she’s our Farr Better Player of the Game.
When you need a plumber, you usually need one fast — but you also want one who’ll do the job right. In the Republic area, that’s Farr Better Plumbing. Call Farr Better and let them take away the stress of your plumbing problems. Call them at 864-8703 or check out their website.
