The Kickapoo Chiefs defeated the Springfield Central Bulldogs, 80-58, in the Class 5, District 11 semi-finals on Tuesday night. The upstart Bulldogs from Central gave the Chiefs all they wanted in the first half and were looking for the upset. Kickapoo, though, continued its winning ways against Missouri schools and pulled out the victory.
In the first quarter, Central slowed the game down by controlling the ball. The game plan by Central coach Armando Johnson was working, keeping his team within striking distance of Kickapoo.
“Our kids did everything exactly as I wanted,” said Johnson. “We had a couple of kids who got impatient from time to time and I thought that there were two or three possessions that if we had just brought the ball out, worked it around a little bit, we could have went into the half with the lead.”
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With the score tied at 19 in the second quarter, the Chiefs took advantage of Bulldog mistakes and went into the locker room with a halftime lead of 32-27. Kickapoo coach Dick Rippee reminded his players at the half to play with more discipline and that Central was not going to go away quietly.
“At half we tried to talk about playing with a little bit more discipline on offense,” said Rippee. “We felt like defensively the ball pressure was good. Then we get on offense and try to make everything happen in one or two passes without getting any reversals. We just needed to play with a little bit more discipline on offense.”
Kickapoo saw their five point halftime lead increase to 15 by the end of the third quarter. Their transition offense was moving the ball quickly up the floor and Central was forced to foul. Kickapoo’s strength allowed them to make the bucket and the and-one.
“Our kids didn’t do a good job of fouling, even though we had a lot of guys in foul trouble,” said Johnson. “Kickapoo kept getting and-ones and that was the thing I didn’t want them to get. I wanted them to earn it at the free throw line. They missed some free throws. If we could have just stopped the and-ones, it might have been different; I’m pretty sure they got at least seven and-ones.”
In the fourth quarter Kickapoo was on cruise control as Rippee played his bench throughout the quarter. The Chiefs pulled away to the 22 point win.
Leading the way in scoring for the Chiefs was junior Jared Ridder with 26.
“In the second half we just really tried to push the tempo,” said Ridder. “They were slowing us down in the first half so in the second half we forced them into some turnovers. It was a little frustrating when they slowed it down but we kept guarding. We will have to play better in our next game if we want to win.”
Kickapoo senior Niekie Thomas-Fontleroy was one of five seniors scoring for the Chiefs, whereas Central does not have a senior on the roster.
“It was a good game,” said Thomas-Fontleroy. ”In the first quarter we really didn’t come out and handle business right away like we should have. At halftime, Coach kind of got on our leaders and told us what we needed to do in the second half. I do anything that my coach and my team mates need me to do. When everybody is down I create energy plays and score. I was more aggressive in the second half. I clamped down more on defense, crashed the boards more, took charges, I was just was a better team player.”
Johnson was proud of the tenacity of his young Bulldogs.
“We have no seniors,” said Johnson. “I wanted my team to understand how good they could be and how good they are. Throughout the year we’ve been very inconsistent but tonight’s game showed them that if we stay patient we can be good. I told them in the locker room, Kickapoo is not 27-2 for no reason and you showed that if we play together and we play unselfishly we could play with anybody.”
Rippee gave the Bulldogs high praise for their effort.
“I thought Central played with great discipline,” said Rippee. “They did exactly what Coach Johnson wanted them to do, they shortened the game. I thought they played excellent. Our guys just made enough plays in the second half to get a little separation. We tried to speed them up a little bit, tried to pick them up full court and get them playing a little bit faster, and it worked. They had a good game plan and executed it well. Give them credit, they played awfully well. I thought we did a pretty good job, as well.”
Kickapoo will play Ozark in the district final Friday, March 4th at 7:30 pm at Branson High School. Kickapoo and Ozark have played twice this year, with Kickapoo winning both matchups, but Rippee will not underestimate the Tigers.
“We’ve got to lock in and play for four quarters,” said Rippee. “We haven’t done that in a while and if we don’t do that Friday night our season will end a little bit early.”
Central 12 15 15 16 -58
Kickapoo 13 19 25 23 -80
Central—Bryson Donkert 12, Quintin Batson 11, Robert Galvan 8, DJ Hardin 6, Junior Torres 6, Tavi Robinson 6, Deontai Johnson 4, Garett Harper 3, Donte Reese 2
Kickapoo—Jared Ridder 26, Niekie Thomas-Fontleroy 16, Derrick Roberson 12, Isaac Johnson 11, Cameron Davis 8, Kyle Giefer 3, Isaac Blakeslee 2, Michael Fowler 2
