By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
SPRINGFIELD, MO – Strafford’s defensive pressure passed yet another test during Monday’s Pink Division semifinal round.
After allowing only a single basket in the first quarter, the Indians’ suffocating defense continued to hold Republic at bay en route to a 59-30 victory.
“Our kids just continue to be relentless and show up and compete every day with different types of things everyone’s going to throw at you,” Strafford head coach Dustin Larsen said. “I thought our kids did a really good job of staying focused. It was a physical game, and we had to make sure we were physical and played through the different momentum (swings).”
While Republic struggled to build momentum on offense, the Tiger defense held its own through the first half.
Entering the break, the Strafford lead was a mere nine points at 20-11.
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“(Republic) is a really good 3-point shooting team if you give them space and allow that,” Larsen said. “They’re also scrappy and can be physical, so we just tried to be as solid as possible, have great communication on any type of exchange and I thought our kids were, overall, pretty dialed in on all those things.”
In the third quarter, the Strafford offense finally hit high gear and took over the contest.
Already up ten points, the Indians erupted with a 14-0 run to effectively put the game out of reach.
Strafford’s Blair Bough was particularly effective during the run.
With Republic’s defense focused on limiting opportunities for all-state guards Elsie and Kinley Larsen, the 5-foot-11 sophomore poured in seven-straight points from the paint.
“When my teammates are there, and (Republic) is worried about them, they can’t focus on everybody,” Bough said. “You have one opportunity, and then you can get many more just from them giving and pouring in (points) like that.”
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For Coach Larsen, the performance was yet another example of solid team play throughout the roster.
“Oh, this is a team, you know,” Coach Larsen said. “It’s just Strafford – it’s not about any individuals – it’s about everyone doing their absolute best. When we’re at our best, we’re getting four kids in double figures, and that’s our goal.”
Elsie Larsen (14), Kinley Larsen (12), Bough (11) and Trista VanHorn (11) all finished in double figures for the No. 1 Indians (8-1), who will face No. 2 Marshfield (11-1) in the Pink Division championship on Tuesday.
No. 4 Republic (5-2) will play No. 3 West Plains (9-3) in the third place game.
Kinley Kilburn led the Tigers in scoring with 11 points.
PINK DIVISION SEMIFINAL: Strafford – 59, Republic – 30
Republic 04 07 09 10 | 30
Strafford 13 07 22 17 | 59
Republic scoring: Kinley KILburn 11, Paelyn Gilmore 6, Charlie Hagewood 5, Awbree Berning 2, Josie Stalzer 2, Addison Brown 2, Chloe Pullan 2
Strafford scoring: Elsie Larsen 14, Kinley Larsen 12, Blair Bough 11, Trista VanHorn 11, Zoe Allison 3, Lizzy VanHorn 3, Jayden Onore 3, Chloe Henson 2
