Playing the last game of the day at the Stephanie Phillips Classic at Kickapoo Thursday, Republic looked like a team that had stayed up past its bedtime. The Lady Tigers started slowly on both ends of the floor, and Blue Springs South built an eight-point lead in the game’s first six minutes. But Republic outscored the Jaguars 10-2 over the next two minutes, tied the score by the end of the first quarter, and went on to win 57-50.
Kaemyn Bekemeier scored 27 points to lead Republic. Lauren Chastain had 12 and Misora Nambara was also in double figures with 10.
Trailing 15-7 with two minutes left in the first, Bekemeier lit the spark that helped the Lady Tigers heat up. She drove up the right side of the lane, drew a foul, and banked the ball in. Her free throw made it 15-10. Molly Mason and Misora Nambara scored buckets in the lane, and after two Blue Springs free throws, Lauren Chastain made a long three-pointer as the buzzer sounded to tie the score.
Coinciding with the improved offense, Republic switched to a 3/4-court trapping defense that led to several empty possessions for Blue Springs South. They carried that defense into the second quarter and out-scored the Jaguars 14-11 to take a 31-28 lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, Republic played its best defensive quarter, holding the Jaguars to just eight points, stretching the lead to 45-36. The Lady Tigers eventually led by as many as 14, 52-38.
Blue Springs South outscored Republic 14-12 in the fourth quarter, as Republic played without guard Hope Schatz, who left the game early in the second half because of an injury.
Republic improves to 4-1. Blue Springs South is 1-4. Republic plays Jefferson City at 8:30 pm Friday. (We will not have a live broadcast for that game.)
Score by Quarter
Blue Springs 17 11 8 14 – 50
Republic 17 14 14 12 – 57
Individual Scoring
Kaemyn Bekemeier 27, Lauren Chastain 12, Misora Nambara 10, Molly Blades 4, Molly Mason 4
