Republic fought through foul trouble and fought back from an early deficit to knock off Raytown 65-61, winning the championship of the Stephanie Phillips Classic at Kickapoo High School Saturday, 65-61. The Lady Tigers (Class 6 #7) outscored Raytown (Class 6 #3) 43-35 in the second half to pull off the comeback.
Kaemyn Bekemeier scored a season-high 34 points to lead Republic, and Lauren Chastain scored a career-high 19 — including 14 in the second half to help key the Lady Tigers’ late surge. Chastain scored ten in the fourth quarter — six of them at the free throw line.
In the first quarter, the game’s physical style tested Republic, and Raytown dominated the boards to stay in control. Second- and third-chance points helped the Lady Blue Jays build a 16-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. They eventually stretched the lead to seven points, at 19-12, before Republic began to adjust.
Republic ripped off a 10-2 run to take the lead briefly, but Raytown scored the last five points of the half, including a three-pointer by Summer Yancy in the final minute, to grab a 26-22 lead at the break. First-half foul trouble contributed to Republic’s woes, with Alaina Norman, Molly Mason, and Misora Nambara all picking up two fouls early in the first half. Norman and Mason ended up with three fouls each by halftime.
The third quarter belonged to Bekemeier, though. She scored 10 points to help Republic fight back into the lead. The state-ranked teams went back and forth from then on. There were 11 lead changes and and seven ties in the second half.
Republic led 40-39 as the fourth quarter began, but didn’t take the lead for good until 1:27 remained. With the game tied 55-55, Molly Mason hit Chastain cutting up the left side of the lane, and Chastain made a shot over a defender, drew a foul, and completed the three-point play at the free throw line. That gave Republic a 58-55 lead, and Republic never trailed again.
The loss was the first of the season for Raytown, now 7-1. Republic improves to 6-1.
The Lady Tigers play another state-ranked team Monday when they travel to El Dorado Springs.
Score by Quarters
Raytown 16 10 13 22 – 61
Republic 11 11 18 25 – 65
Individual Scoring
Kaemyn Bekemeier 34, Lauren Chastain 19, Molly Blades 5, Molly Mason 4, Alaina Norman 3