The Lady Tigers’ basketball season got off to a rough start in a 45-26 loss on the road at Lee’s Summit West. Republic managed to score just one field goal in the first half, falling behind 19-9 at the midway point of the game.
“I anticipated a little bit of a struggle for us early in the season, just until we get used to each other and everybody out roles,” coach Kris Flood says of his young team’s scoring difficulties. “So some of it was on us. We definitely looked a little hesitant.”
And Flood says the experience of Lee’s Summit West, who returned several starters from last year, made things even more difficult for the Lady Tigers.
“They do a tremendous job. I told the kids, I’d say at the end of the year you’re going to see Lee’s Summit West in the top 10, if not top five. They’ve got a lot of kids back with a ton of experience and I think Coach Hardin … kind of anticipated that … he’s got a chance to make a run.”
In contrast to Lee’s Summit West, Republic ran several players onto the court in a varsity game for the first time in their careers. Three players, starters, Clara Fronabarger, Jazzy Kirby, and Savana Powell-Goodman scored their first varsity points.
Through the first 20 minutes of the game, Republic had score only two field goals. They had just six field goals in the entire game. Three of those were by Halli Bartelsmeyer, who scored all seven of her points in the second half.
Jade Kirby had six points, and so did Fronabarger, who made six free throws in six attempts. Avylina Powell-Qualo scored four points, all on free throws. Jazzy Kirby hit two free throws and Savana Goodman scored one.
“I think it’s just going to be a matter of time. We’ll get it figured out,” Flood says of his inexperienced squad. “I told the kids at the end, we don’t have time to dwell on this. We’ve got a quick turnaround when we play again tomorrow night. I would anticipate a better effort tomorrow night.”
Republic (0-1) will stay in the Kansas City area and play at Liberty North Tuesday night.
Farr Better Player of the Game
The Lady Tigers had trouble scoring all night, but even when they weren’t getting the ball in the bucket, Clara Fronabarger was helping keep them in the game. Fronabarger seemed to be near every loose ball and contested rebound in her first varsity start. She also added six points from the free throw line, and she was our Farr Better Player of the Game.
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