By Payton Hannah (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Kickapoo Chiefs capitalized on a strong start in a challenging road environment on Monday night, securing an impressive 63-43 victory over a formidable Republic Tigers team.
It was a matchup both teams had circled, following their victories in the Blue and Gold Tournament in December, with Kickapoo winning the Blue Division and Republic claiming the Gold Division.
The Chiefs came out firing and quickly captured a 7-0 lead to start the game after four points from Brock Thompson. The Tigers rallied late with the help of CJ Uhl, who scored five points to make it a 14-11 game after one quarter of play.
Kickapoo brought a surge of intensity in the second quarter, crashing the boards and playing a physical style of basketball. The Chiefs’ defense stood strong, holding Republic to just six points in the period. The Chiefs gained momentum as Jackson Shorter and Brock Thompson secured multiple offensive rebounds, converting them into scoring opportunities.
“I just had to work hard, stay low, be physical, and keep them out of the paint to get every rebound I could,” said Shorter.
Shorter and Thompson combined for seven of the 12 points for Kickapoo in the quarter and gave the Chiefs a 26-17 lead heading into halftime.
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The Chiefs continued their strong play in the third quarter, opening with a 12-1 run sparked by several key baskets from junior guard Reese Kimrey. Republic responded with an offensive explosion from Brenley Hagewood, who scored 13 consecutive points for the Tigers, including a four-point play near the end of the quarter after hitting a deep three and drawing a foul. Kickapoo still commanded a 47-32 lead at the quarter’s end.
Republic continued to claw back in the final quarter of play with a three-point barrage from Hagewood, who scored a game-high 26 points, but two consecutive Kickapoo three-pointers ended the Tigers late momentum. The Chiefs closed out the game with key baskets from Shorter and Kimrey, helping secure the victory over the Tigers. Kimrey finished the night with a team-high 20 points.
“It was a very important game for us,” remarked Kickapoo Head Coach Mitch McHenry. “Playing another top opponent in our conference, on the road in front of a great crowd, and coming together as a team was good to see and something we really needed.”
The game also had district seeding implications with both Kickapoo and Republic in Class 6 District 5.
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The Chiefs will now travel to Lebanon on Friday to take on the Yellowjackets, while Republic heads to Carthage to play the Tigers.
Kickapoo 14-12-21-16-(63)
Republic 11-6-15-11-(43)
Top Performers
Kickapoo: Reese Kimrey 20, Jackson Shorter 17, Brock Thompson 8
Republic: Brenley Hagewood 26, CJ Uhl 7, Davin Parks 6
