Kickapoo prevails in high-scoring Class 5 semifinal

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If it’s fast-paced, up-and-down basketball you prefer, the Kickapoo Chiefs don’t mind doing their part.

In a game where faster was better, Kickapoo built a big second-half lead and survived a late Lee’s Summit rally to prevail 85-81 Thursday night in the Show-Me Showdown Class 5 semifinals at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

PHOTOS: KICKAPOO VS. LEE'S SUMMIT

The outcome was a bit of payback for the Chiefs, who lost to run-and-gun Lee’s Summit 91-84 in a neutral-site game last season.

 “It’s pretty similar teams, aren’t they?” said Chiefs coach Dick Rippee. “I think this was a game where our guys were going to have a lot of fun playing because there’s going to be opportunities for them to do some of the things they love doing: going to the basket, doing a little 1-on-1, creating… We just made a few more shots than (Lee’s Summit) did.”

Seniors Isaac Johnson (22) and Niekie Thomas Fontleroy (20) combined for 42 points to lead Kickapoo, which takes on nationally ranked Chaminade (26-5 overall, No. 24 MaxPreps) at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Mizzou Arena. Kickapoo will be seeking its first state championship since winning three of four from 2003-06.

“We’re proud to represent Southwest Missouri on Saturday and play for a state championship,” Rippee said. “That’s pretty special. We’re very blessed and humbled for this opportunity.”

Against Lee’s Summit, the Chiefs feasted on drives for the final three quarters. Kickapoo shot 56 percent from the field (31-for-55) in the game, including 60 percent (15-for-25) in the second half.

Kickapoo trailed 21-17 after the first quarter, when Rippee encouraged his players to lay off the jump shots and attack the basket.

“Shots weren’t falling at the beginning of the game,” Johnson said. “Personally, I missed my first three jump shots, so I knew I had to get to the rim and get myself going. I think that really helped me and the team.”

Closing out the win did not come easy. Kickapoo led 71-53 with 5:28 remaining, before Lee’s Summit would nearly pull off a last-gasp run.

The Tigers went on a 10-2 spurt to cut the margin to 73-65 with three minutes left, and re-ignite their fan base in the process.

Aided by some Kickapoo turnovers, Lee’s Summit got as close as five points on three occasions in the final two minutes.
Each time, Kickapoo had an answer. Isaac Johnson made two free throws with 46 seconds left to push the Chiefs’ lead to 83-76.

 Later, after Kickapoo was called for a 5-second violation on an in-bounds play, Lee’s Summit tried to go inside on the Chiefs and cut it to a three-point game, only to have a hobbling Jared Ridder come up with a block.

The play led to a Cam Davis fastbreak layup and an 85-78 lead for the Chiefs.

“Lee’s Summit got us going up and down and we took a few inopportune shots,” Rippee said of the late run. “There’s a reason coach has gray hair, there’s no doubt about that. I’m just glad to have some hair after that.”

It was the first loss of the season for Lee’s Summit, who beat Kansas 6A champion Shawnee Mission-North in the regular season. Lee’s Summit coach Blake Little said Kickapoo is the best team the Tigers have seen.

“I think we’ve played a pretty good schedule – you look at our conference, we beat a state champion from (Kansas) – but I think Kickapoo, top to bottom is the best team we’ve played,” he said. “They have a lot of really good players. You expect that coming to the Final Four. We got beat by a team that was better than us tonight.”

With leading scorer and rebounder Ridder still hobbled from an ankle injury suffered in Saturday’s quarterfinal win over Blue Springs South, the Chiefs got big games from all four of their guards, including junior Cam Davis and senior/6th man Derrick Roberson.

Davis had 17 points and 12 rebounds. Roberson had 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. He made 4 of 6 free throw attempts – 6 of 9 in the game in all – in the final 1:47 as Kickapoo was clinging to its lead.

And then there was the injured but able Ridder, who finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

“If you could see his ankle right now, you’d be amazed that he even got his shoe on,” Rippee said. “It’s amazing, our medical staff – Bert Boyd – did a great job of getting him ready tonight. And Jared just has the heart of a champion and it just rolls over to his teammates.”

Leading by nine at the start of the fourth quarter, Kickapoo scored 8 of the first 9 points to go up 67-51.

Nick Larkin and Isiah Sears scored 22 apiece to lead the Tigers, who shot only 36 percent from the field after halftime following a 55 percent effort in the first half. Lee’s Summit was 7-for-31 on 3-point attempts, many of those coming in the final five minutes as it tried to muster a rally.

Kickapoo’s finals opponent on Saturday, Chaminade, beat conference rival St. Louis U. High 75-49 in Thursday’s other Class 5 boys’ semifinal. Duke commit Jayson Tatum scored 28, surpassing former NBA lottery pick and current Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal as the program’s all-time leading scorer.

“It’ll be a lot of fun,” Ridder said. “I’ve seen (Tatum) play a lot in the EYBL and he’s a special talent. We’ll have a lot of fun playing against him and maybe we’ll come out with a win.”
 
Kickapoo 85, Lee’s Summit 81
Kickapoo 17 23 19 26 — 85
Lee’s Summit 21 18 11 31 — 81
 
Kickapoo – Isaac Johnson 22, Niekie Thomas-Fontleroy 20, Cam Davis 17, Derrick Roberson 12, Jared Ridder 10, Travis Vokolek 4
Lee’s Summit – Nick Larkin 22, Isiah Sears 22, Blake Spellman 19, Delshaun Presley 8, Marquawn Wilson 5, Oliver Edwards 4, Edward Wilson 1

 

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