A scoring drought in the third quarter cost Republic a shot at third place in the Pink & White Lady Classic, as the Lady Tigers lost to Kickapoo 45-38 in the Pink Division third-place game.
After getting blasted by Mt. Vernon in the semifinal, Republic responded well to open the game against Kickapoo. Jade Kirby made two three-pointers to help Republic take an early 9-3 lead before Kickapoo fought back to lead at the end of the first quarter, 12-11.
The game remained close throughout the first half, with neither team leading by more than four points. When Kirby made two straight buckets, including another three-pointer, late in the second quarter, the Lady Tigers briefly grabbed a 23-21 lead. Kickapoo scored just before halftime to tie the game at the break.
But in the minutes after halftime, Kickapoo’s defense began to tighten the noose on Republic. The Lady Tigers scored just seven points in the third period and Kickapoo opened up a six-point margin. When the Lady Chiefs scored the first basket of the fourth period, they had their biggest lead of the game at 38-30. From there, Kickapoo hung on for a seven-point victory.
Jade Kirby led Republic with 12 points. She was the only Republic player in double figures.
Scoring
Jade Kirby 12, Halli Bartelsmeyer 9, Shealyn Barrett 6, Clara Fronabarger 6, Carle Ward 3, Delaney Smith 2