By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
In a matchup of No. 1 seeds in the upcoming Pink & White Lady Classic, it was the Kickapoo Lady Chiefs (No. 1-Pink) who came out on top with a 78-55 nonconference win over Nixa (No. 1-White) as both teams’ seniors were honored Thursday night.
The Lady Chiefs, who improved to 6-2 on the season, led just 19-14 after the first quarter but opened up the game by outscoring Nixa (5-2) 23-9 in the second.
“We were able to get some defensive stops in the second quarter and be able to put a group of defensive stops together, and that really helped give us the momentum,” Kickapoo coach Jim Pendergrass said. “And then, we were able to go down and score, and we played without fouling.”
Juniors Kaya Goldsby and Bella Fontleroy led the way for Kickapoo in the first half with nine points apiece, as the Lady Chiefs took a 42-23 halftime lead and had to play much of the half without senior Indya Green, who picked up her third foul with 6:34 to go in the second quarter.
Though the Lady Chiefs lost Green to foul trouble, they did get back Fontleroy, who had missed all three games of the Ozark Tournament with a concussion.
“We had a great weekend last weekend,” Pendergrass said. “I mean, we played without (Fontleroy), beat Jeff City by 17; we took Incarnate Word down to the end. We’ve got to be relentless as a team. And, that’s the girls on the team really stepping up and everybody having to do more. That last weekend helped us. Playing against good competition really helps us and it’s going to make us better.”
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Fontleroy, who finished with a game-high 20 points, five rebounds and an assist, said it was good to be back on the court.
“I feel really good,” Fontleroy said. “I practiced Tuesday and yesterday, and everything went smooth; no headache, none of that. I’m just really glad to be back with the team and it was my first game in our new, finished gym.
“I think we played well together. It got a little hectic, but I think we really came together as a team and just tried to be unselfish and get everybody the ball.”
The undersized Lady Eagles fought back in second half with more energy on both ends of the floor.
“I think the second quarter we got away from the things we’ve talked about, the principles we want our foundation to be upon,” Nixa coach Jennifer Perryman said. “Offensively, we didn’t do what we worked on for several days, and so we got back to that in the third and fourth quarter. But when you dig a hole on a team that is this good, that’s tough to do.”
Junior Macie Conway, who led the Lady Eagles with 13 points, scored eight of those in the third as Nixa played a much more even second half with Kickapoo. But, the Lady Chiefs’ size and that second quarter were too much for the Lady Eagles to overcome.
“After the game, I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of a team,” Perryman said. “We were working on responding instead of reacting, and I think we did a good job. I think we showed that if we really dedicate to that every possession, then that’s going to carry us through. I think we have to be more consistent with it. And, as much as you want to come away with the win- I do think we’re one of the top teams in the area – I think tonight made us better. And, some of those lessons that you learn are not the ones you want to learn, but sometimes it’s the only way you’re going to learn.
“One thing that we really talked about is that no matter the outcome, we are so thankful to play because there are times we weren’t sure we’re going to. And, so we always try to honor the game when we step on the floor and honor our community.”
Point guard Goldsby was one of the Lady Chiefs to step up on Thursday with 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.
“She has done a great job for us all year, and she’s a very consistent player,” Pendergrass said. “She’s really blended in well with our team and our team loves her. She has made everybody on our team better, and we’re a better team when she’s out there on the floor, helping us offensively and defensively. She’s such a smart player and just wants the team to do well.
“And we were able to do this tonight without our all-state post player (Green). She barely played and we won. It’s a lot better having her out there on the court instead of over on the bench. This was the first time she’s been in foul trouble this year, and she’ll learn from it. She’s a great player, and we look forward to having her back on Monday.”
That’s when Kickapoo faces Republic in a rematch of last year’s Class 5 sectional won by Republic 63-57.
“I think what we need to take away is just not fouling; just being in good position,” Fontleroy said. “I feel like we did a really good job of taking charges tonight and being unselfish, like I said before, and just play together as a team. I think this year, we’ve been doing a really great job of that. So, if we keep moving forward like we are, it’ll be a great season.”
KICKAPOO 78, NIXA 55
NIXA 14-9-19-13—55
KICKAPOO 19-23-21-15—78
NIXA (5-2) – Ali Kamies 10, Rhianna Gibbons 6, Norah Clark 10, Macie Conway 13, Jacy Bray 2, Emma Vincent 2, Sadie Conway 10, Adelyn Weaver 2.
KICKAPOO (6-2) – Kaya Goldsby 16, Kaylee Corbin 11, Bella Fontleroy 20, Rachel Senn 9, Indya Green 6, Madi Barrett 7, Kya Johnson 7, Brooke Turner 2.
Kickapoo B 37, Nixa B 32
Up next: Nixa at Battle, Dec. 21; Republic at Kickapoo, Dec. 21
