Eleven months ago, Strafford beat Republic to break a state record with its 103rd consecutive win. Friday night, Republic wasn’t about to let that streak get any longer. The Lady Tigers overcame a 9-0 deficit and eked out a 43-42 win over Strafford in the quarterfinals of the Pink & White Lady Classic, snapping the Indians’ record 123-game winning streak.
Jazzy Kirby finished with 18 points, including three clutch free throws in the final minute, to lead the Lady Tigers. And it was Kirby’s three three-pointers in the first quarter that helped turn the momentum toward Republic after Strafford appeared they would run away with the game. Her first trey cut a 9-0 deficit to 9-3, and her second, on the next possession, made it 11-6. After freshman Kaemyn Bekemeier finished a three-point play, Kirby hit her third bomb of the quarter to give Republic the lead for the first time, at 12-11.
“That was a key. They jumped out on us 9-0. It could have been one of those games where they get all the momentum going,” said coach Kris Flood. “Jazz stepped up and hit a couple threes and got us right back in it. We were able to just keep chipping away and finally got a lead there.”
Strafford scored five straight points to end the first quarter and take a 16-12 lead, then splashed home a three to start the second period, stretching the lead to seven. But Republic outscored Strafford 12-4 to close out the half and held a 24-23 edge at the midway point.
A quick start for the Lady Tigers in the third quarter helped them build a seven-point lead, their biggest of the night, at 33-26. But Strafford punched back, making a three-pointer to end the third quarter, then scoring the first five points of the fourth quarter to take a 34-33 lead.
With all the momentum going in Strafford’s direction, it was Bekemeier’s turn to step up again. She took the ball to the other end of the floor and muscled it up and in, picked up a foul, and completed her second three-point play to give Republic the lead back. The teams exchanged leads again until another Bekemeier bucket made it 40-39. The Lady Tigers would never trail again.
Jazzy Kirby drew a foul and hit two free throws to make the score 42-39. Another free throw on an ensuing possession made the score 43-39. Kirby, who made the game-winning free throws in last year’s district title game against Willard, said she relishes the chance to step to the line in pressure situations.
“I like having the opportunity. We shoot free throws all the time and I think it just comes down to confidence once you get in a game like that. You’ve just got to focus and zone everyone else out.”
Strafford hit a three-pointer with two seconds remaining to make it a one-point game, but the Indians were out of time outs, and the Lady Tigers were able to seal the victory.
“It was a total team effort – not only the kids that were on the floor. I felt like the kids who were on the bench were in it,” said Flood. “That was a really good atmosphere. That was one of those you have fun playing.”
Republic, seeded sixth with a 5-2 record, advances to the semifinals to meet Central Ozark Conference rival Ozark Saturday at 7 p.m.
Republic Individual Scoring: Jazzy Kirby 18, Kaemyn Bekemeier 10, Savana Powell-Goodman 8, Jade Kirby 6, Delaney Smith 1
Turnovers: Republic 11, Strafford 17
Rebounds: Republic 23, Strafford 17
