Credit the Lady Tigers with recognizing the hot hand at the start of Monday’s game against El Dorado Springs. And credit Hope Schatz with staying hot.
Schatz made back-to-back three-pointers in the opening minute and scored 12 points in the first quarter, helping Republic build an early lead on the way to a 63-55 win over the previously unbeaten Lady Bulldogs. Schatz had three threes in the first eight minutes and finished with a career-high 17 points to lead the Lady Tigers.
“Heck of a way to come out and start the game,” coach Kris Flood said of Schatz’s performance. “Two threes back-to-back – we couldn’t ask for more than that. I think it kind of eased us a little bit and got us headed in the right direction.”
Republic led 21-12 at the end of the first quarter and stretched the lead to 17 points, 42-25 at the half. But Flood told his team during the break the Lady Bulldogs would make a run.
“We talked at halftime that they’re not going away,” he said. “That’s group’s played together. They’re a veteran group.”
In the third quarter, Republic jumped even further ahead, eventually leading by 21 points at 49-28. But foul trouble – including the fourth foul on Kaemyn Bekemeier – opened the door for El Dorado Springs to fight back. The Lady Bulldogs closed the gap to 53-38 by the end of the third quarter. They opened the fourth quarter with an 11-3 run that cut the lead to seven, 56-49, but that was as close as the score would be the rest of the night.
“We had done such a great job in the first half, it gave us a little cushion,” said Flood. “Not that we didn’t have good looks (at the basket), it was just that some of those looks weren’t falling like they did in the first half. We had some untimely turnovers, but we hit enough free throws to keep it right where it was.”
In addition to Bekemeier’s foul trouble, sophomore Lauren Chastain also spent time on the bench after picking up two early fouls. But when she was on the floor, she and Schatz caused defensive havoc on the perimeter against the guards of El Dorado Springs.
“She got those two early (fouls), and it bothered her a little bit. But then we got her over to the bench and talked to her and said, ‘Hey, you’ve just got to calm down and don’t get upset,'” Flood said. “But she fought through it. Eventually, she came out and she really had to step up there when Kaemyn got her fourth (foul), getting matched up with the (Reese) Schaaf kid. I thought she did a good job … keeping her at least halfway contained. (Schaaf) is going to get hers, she’s such a good player.”
Schaaf ended with 19 points and Macie Mays had 28 for El Dorado Springs.
Bekemeier joined Schatz in double figures with 11. They were among eight different Lady Tigers to score.
Republic has won three straight and improves to 3-1. El Dorado Springs falls to 6-1. The Lady Tigers will host Springfield Kickapoo Thursday. The freshman game will begin at 4:30.
Republic Tiger Sports will carry the varsity game live.
Scoring
Hope Schatz 17, Kaemyn Bekemeier 11, Misora Nambara 8, Alaina Norman 7, Lauren Chastain 6, Rilynn Finley 6, Miha Nambara 5, Cameron Gardner 3
Scoring by Quarters
El Dorado Springs 12 13 13 17 55
Republic 21 19 11 10 63