Nixa upsets conference rival Republic for district title

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By Pat Dailey (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

NEOSHO — Nixa’s Kelsey Biro has suffered her fair share of injuries in her high school career, but has persevered and is now thriving. She was at her best in Nixa’s long-awaited 61-50 triumph over Republic in the Class 5 District 12 championship game.

Biro scored 13 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter to power the Lady Eagles past the Lady Tigers and avenge two regular-season losses. Nixa also had lost to Republic the past three years at Districts.

“We’ve wanted to beat them for a long time,” Biro said. “Our goal at the very beginning of the season was to beat Republic. Coach (Jennifer Perryman) told us this is our chance and we finally did it.”

Biro helped make it happen with a memorable fourth quarter in which she was clutch from the field and at the free-throw line. All this after she was basically anonymous the first three quarters.

“She was running our offense and finding the right people,” Perryman said. ”She did all that without getting the ball a whole lot. She scored 18 points the first time we played Republic, so we knew they were going to face-guard and it would be tough on her. She was calm and a really good teammate the first three quarters. She executed to help get other people good shots.”

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“They had been guarding me really tough the first three quarters,” Biro said. “I knew my teammates were open and let them score. Republic kind of backed off of me in the fourth quarter. I knew I had to drive and get fouled, so I could get us some points.”

Biro has been hindered in the past by a broken hand, a fractured shin and a broken foot.

“Oh gosh, I’ve had a lot of (injuries),” she said. “It was tough on me. I had to keep a good mindset. It’s very rewarding to finally get back and play with my teammates and win. I’m very proud.”

“She’s been through a lot,” Perryman said. “When it happens more than once, a kid can get frustrated. But she’s always done her rehab and battled back. Tonight was payoff for her.

“She’s become a very physically and mentally tough player. That’s going to take her to the next level. To have a kid with that much talent and put it all together tonight was good to see.”

Perryman was confident enough in Biro’s free-throw shooting to allow her stay on the court and shoot freebies, even after she began to feel pain from a leg cramp.

“She’s been huge at the free-throw line all year,” Perryman said. “She took it to the rim tonight and was physically tough.”

Republic (15-11), which was seeking its fifth straight District title, broke to a 20-11 lead. But Nixa answered with a 25-10 run over the second and third quarters to take a 36-30 lead.

The Lady Eagles were up 48-44 with 2:42 to play when the outcome was all but decided. A technical foul was assessed on a Republic player for slamming the ball onto the floor. Biro followed up by making four straight free throws and Gabby Nielsen added a layup for what amounted to be a six-point possession for Nixa.

The Lady Eagles finished the fourth quarter with 30 points.

“The monkey is gone,” Perryman said of beating Republic. “Kris Flood is probably the most underestimated coach around. This is big for me and our staff because we have a tremendous amount of respect for Republic.”

Nixa 11 7 13 30 — 61
Republic 11 11 8 20 — 50

NIXA (61) — Gabby Nielsen 4, Lakin Copeland 7, Emily Edwards 9, Kenzie Hines 4, Kelsey Biro 18, Wiggins 6, Bissett Michaelson 2, Allison Brumley 9, Paige Sportsman 2.
REPUBLIC (50) — Megan Branstetter 15, Halli Bartelsmeyer 11, Brylee Manes 6, Lacee Welcher 4, Avy Powell-Quali 12, Jade Kirby 2.

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