All week long at the Pink & White Tournament, Republic has turned it on after halftime. That happened again in a semifinal win against Springfield Kickapoo.
Listen to the audio broadcast here.
Republic held Kickapoo to just five points in the third quarter, stretching a two-point lead to double digits, 48-38, on the way to a 55-48 win in the tournament semifinals.
Kaemyn Bekemeier, who was averaging 23.4 points per game, increased that average by dropping 25 on Kickapo. She had eight points in that key third quarter.
For Republic, the win is another over a state-ranked opponent. Kickapoo had been ranked seventh in Class 6 in the latest statewide rankings. Republic is #6.
Republic improves to 10-1. The Lady Tigers will get another crack at a ranked team in the championship game at 6 pm at O’Reilly Family Event Center. They’ll face Class 6 #2 Grain Valley, who blew out Cabot, Ark., in their semifinal, 69-50.
Score by Quarters
Kickapoo 16 17 5 10 – 48
Republic 18 17 13 7 – 55
Individual Scoring
Kaemyn Bekemeier 25, Lauren Chastain 8, Molly Blades 6, Misora Nambara 5, Molly Mason 4, Alaina Norman 4, Hope Schatz 3