By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
How good was Kickapoo’s first-quarter defense?
The Lady Chiefs put up 20 points in the opening frame, but statistically, they were even better on the other end of the floor.
Coach Jim Pendergrass said Kickapoo charted 22 total deflections, steals and blocks in the first quarter of the Lady Chiefs’ district semifinal game against Branson.
“That helped set the tone and really got us off to a good start,” Pendergrass said. “Our defense and our rebounding are two keys for us. When we do those things, we put ourselves in a position to win ball games.”
Kickapoo (21-6 overall) jumped out to an early 20-5 lead and never looked back, defeating Branson 80-49 in the Class 5 District 11 Tournament on Monday night.
Sophomore Chloe Merced led four Kickapoo players in double figures with 17 points.
Since losing 67-62 at home to West Plains on Jan. 14, Kickapoo has won 12 straight games.
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“I think (the West Plains game) kind of flipped a switch and we realized we had to start playing more as a team,” Merced said. “We’ve come a long way since the beginning of the season. We’ve gotten closer as a team. It’s been fun.”
Kickapoo faces Ozark in the district finals at 6 p.m. Thursday at Kickapoo High School. The Lady Chiefs won 75-51 at Ozark on Jan. 22.
With a victory, Kickapoo would earn the program’s fourth district title in five seasons.
The Lady Chiefs are one of the youngest teams in the area, but not short on talent. Kickapoo had three sophomores and two freshmen in its starting lineup Monday night.
Merced, who played on Kickapoo’s final four team last season, said it’s leadership by committee for the young group.
“It definitely takes leadership not only from me, but from Indya (Green), Bella (Fontleroy) and Leah (Fredrick), too,” Merced said. “It’s easier when you have more leaders because we all know what we need to do out there.”
The Lady Chiefs led by 12 after the first quarter. Backup guard Leah Fredrick scored eight points in a one-minute span to put Kickapoo in control early, 20-5.
Fredrick finished with 15 points, 11 coming in the first half.
“I can’t say enough about (Leah),” Pendergrass said. “She’s had a fantastic season. When she comes into the game, that’s exactly what she needs to do: give us a boost. She does that. Tonight, she did it with points. But defensively, she’s much improved. And that’s to her credit.”
Karis Goodwin’s third 3-pointer of the first half brought Branson within 26-15 midway through the second quarter. Kickapoo closed the first half on a 11-2 run and led 37-17 by halftime.
Kickapoo, behind its active matchup zone defense, outscored Branson 18-6 in the ensuing third quarter. The Lady Chiefs started the game with 6’2” Rachel Senn playing at the top of their zone defense.
“We’re a very long team and we try to have kids play multiple positions, depending on what the lineup is,” Pendergrass said. “It may vary game to game or position by position, depending on what the game calls for.”
Kickapoo sophomore Indya Green had another dominant game around the basket, finishing with eight points and a game-high 14 rebounds (unofficially).
“Her consistency has been a huge part of our success,” Pendergrass said. “If you’re a good rebounding team, it gives you a chance to win a lot of games.
“It’s not just her, either. Every game, we’ll have another girl with eight, another girl with six or seven. We have a lot of girls that can get six or more rebounds in a game.”
Branson cut slightly into the deficit with a big fourth quarter from Priscilla Williams. She scored 11 of her game-high 22 points over the final eight minutes.
Branson battled foul trouble in the first half. Kickapoo reached the double-bonus by the 5:14 mark of the second half. The Lady Chiefs finished 18-for-34 at the free throw line.
The Lady Pirates graduate two seniors in Karis Goodwin and Ravan Tucker.
Kickapoo 80, Branson 49
Branson 10 10 6 23 – 49
Kickapoo 22 15 18 25 – 80
Branson (15-12 overall) – Priscilla Williams 22, Karis Goodwin 13, Chloe Grimm 6, Sidney Davis 2, Ravan Tucker 2, Maddie Pardock 2, Joanna Lansman 2
Kickapoo (21-6 overall) – Chloe Merced 17, Leah Fredrick 15, Bella Fontleroy 14, Macie Conway 14, Indya Green 8, Rachel Senn 6, Kaylee Corbin 4, Madie Barrett 1
