Before Thursday’s game, Republic celebrated its four seniors. Once the game started, those seniors gave Lady Tigers plenty more to celebrate. The seniors – Savana Powell-Goodman, Kaitlyn Ragsdale, Jazzy Kirby, and Regan Holmes – combined to score 41 points in a 75-58 win over Springfield Central.
Powell-Goodman got things rolling with a fast start, making two of her four three-pointers in the first quarter. Sophomore Kaemyn Bekemeier chipped in, as well, scoring ten in the first quarter on the way to a team-high 23 points. But Central senior Makaiya Brooks kept her team in the game with ten first-quarter points of her own, and the Lady Tigers led only by two points after the first period, 18-16.
In the second quarter, Republic threatened to pull away, stretching its lead to seven points on three different occasions. But another three-pointer by Brooks just before halftime cut the lead to four, 34-30.
The Lady Tigers cracked down on defense in the third quarter, outscoring Central 16-8. Holmes scored five points in the quarter and Bekemeier added six. When Ragsdale splashed in a three-pointer at the buzzer, Republic had its biggest lead, 50-38. Central never got closer than ten points the rest of the way, despite Brooks’ best efforts. She finished with 28 points to lead all scorers.
Coach Kris Flood said Senior Night is always a “special thing. It’s the culmination of their high school career. Hopefully our coaching staff has had some influence on them. I anticipate this group, just like any of the other groups we’ve had, they’re going to move on and … be successful in whatever endeavors they do after high school.”
Jazzy Kirby, who entered the game needing to draw one charging foul to become Missouri’s all-time leader, did not break the record. She’ll try again Saturday during Republic’s game against Camdenton. (Republic Tiger Sports will carry that game live.)
Republic has won four of its last five games and improves to 6-4. Central is 4-7.
Republic Scoring
Kaemyn Bekemeier 23, Savana Powell-Goodman 16, Kaitlyn Ragsdale 10, Jazzy Kirby 8, Regan Holmes 7, Ashlyn Leonard 6, Cameron Gardner 2, Eternity Knotts 1
