By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
In front of a COVID-capacity crowd, the Kickapoo Chiefs dominated their Class 6 sectional with a 72-60 win over Nixa – their third of the season against the Eagles – to advance to the quarterfinals for the second-straight year on Tuesday night.
“I thought our kids played really well for four quarters,” Kickapoo coach Mitch McHenry said. “There was a lot of talk about seeing them for the third time, but there was a lot that was said really all year about us, and that was said leading up to each game. This game, I knew our kids would respond, and they would play hard, and they would play with that desperation that we played with tonight, and they’d be ready to go.
“It’s nice to see a bunch of teenagers in this level of game with this type of atmosphere, where they stick together play hard, and they do it every single possession. I thought we just played together as one unit the entire game and I think the score and the result showed.”
The matchup between two of the top three teams in Class 6 looked like it was going to live up to the hype as Kickapoo (No. 2) held a one-point lead (18-17) over Nixa (No. 3) at the end of the first quarter.
The Eagles opened the second quarter on a Jason Jones basket to take a 19-18 lead, but Kickapoo answered with an Isaac Haney free throw and a putback by Trevon Brazile (21-19).
A 3-pointer from the baseline by Colin Ruffin put Nixa up 22-21, but that was the last lead the Eagles would see.
Mizzou signee Anton Brookshire, who led all scorers with 22 points, hit a 3 from the top of the key and another one from deep as the Chiefs rattled off 14-straight points to outscore the Eagles 17-5 in the quarter to take a 35-22 lead at the half.
Fellow Mizzou signee Trevon Brazile wreaked havoc in the paint all night with four blocks and 10 rebounds, while adding 18 points for Kickapoo (25-2).
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
“We didn’t have an answer for Brazile,” Nixa coach Jay Osborne said. “It’s the best I’ve seen him play in four years. He was a difference-maker on both ends of the floor. We didn’t have an answer for him. We knew what the others could do.”
The Eagles (25-4) battled back in the second half, outscoring Kickapoo 38-37, but the first-half hole was too deep to dig out of.
“The second quarter did us in; we didn’t have a good quarter,” Osborne said. “You can’t have four or five minutes of error basketball against a team like that. But, our kids battled hard. I’m really proud of our kids. They fought and they played hard, it just wasn’t our night.
“A lot of coaches and players would give anything to get 25 wins. It’s not going to diminish how I feel about this team and our players with a great senior group and great teammates. We’ve had an outstanding year. I’m going to look back on this season with a lot of positive thoughts.”
Tuesday night’s sectional victory was the third time Kickapoo had beaten Nixa this season. The Chiefs took the first game 64-62 in overtime in a regular-season matchup. The second win, an 84-69 decision, came in the Nixa Invitational championship.
“Everyone was saying it was hard to beat a team three times in a season, especially a good team like Nixa,” Brazile said. “But, we all just came out with the same mentality. We just wanted to be dogs and just go to work the whole game, so that’s what we did.
“I felt like we had more energy than them the whole time. Even when they were up one, we felt like we were going to come out on top anyway.”
This season, the Chiefs were able to add a few more weapons in Haney (Dora transfer and Missouri State signee), who added 15 points, and Brazile (Parkview transfer) to make them even more dangerous.
“I thought we were locked in every single possession, like every single possession was a championship possession,” McHenry said. “And, Trevon was a difference-maker tonight. He was a difference-maker on both ends of the floor; he played at elite level. (Nixa) wanted to get the ball inside and he took away everything inside with what he’s able to do.
“I thought it was the best game he’s played offensively for us with the moves he used, the patience he had, and how he was being aggressive.”
Kickapoo advances to the quarterfinal round where it will face Ozark Conference foe Waynesville, a 59-55 winner over Jefferson City. The Chiefs defeated the Tigers 59-45 during the regular season.
Class 6 sectional
KICKAPOO 72, NIXA 60
NIXA 17-5-17-21—60
KICKAPOO 18-17-18-19—72
KICKAPOO (25-2) – Anton Brookshire 22, Cameron Liggins 13, Isaac Haney 15, Trevon Brazile 18, Harrison Doennig 2, Zaide Lowery 2.
NIXA (25-4) – Jaret Nelson 3, Kael Combs 11, Kaleb Wofford 15, Jason Jones 11, Colin Ruffin 11, Jordyn Turner 4, Colten Berry 5.
Up next: Class 6 quarterfinals – Kickapoo vs. Waynesville, 6 p.m., March 12
