Republic celebrated two more milestones to wrap up the regular season at Hollister Tuesday. The Lady Tigers won their 20th game of the season, beating Hollister 68-25. And Kaemyn Bekemeier became Republic’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing the previous career mark held by Josie Sparkman early in the third quarter.
Republic led 20-9 at the end of the first quarter, then outscored Hollister 21-0 in the second quarter to take a 41-9 lead into the half. It was 59-19 at the end of the third.
Nine different players scored for Republic, three of them in double figures. Bekemeier led the way with 21 points. Rilynn Finley had 13, and Misora Nambara added ten.
Going into the game, Bekemeier needed 13 points to become Republic’s all-time leading scorer. Early in the third quarter, she made a three-pointer to tie Josie Sparkman with 1,563 career points. She scored two more a little while later to break the record, and currently stands at 1,571 career points.
Sparkman set her career scoring mark from 2001 to 2005. She still holds the career record for career three-pointers, with 152.
Republic finishes its regular season with a record of 20-6. The Lady Tigers have won 12 of their last 13 games. They will open district play Saturday at Joplin against Lebanon.
Republic Scoring
Kaemyn Bekemeier 21, Rilynn Finley 13, Misora Nambara 10, Hope Schatz 7, Miha Nambara 6, Gracie Woods 4, Molly Blades 3, Alaina Norman 2, Alex Price 2