Updated Friday, Feb. 2, at 3:25 p.m.
Nixa Public Schools has released its dates, information, and brackets for the girls and boys basketball Nixa Invitational Tournament (NIT), presented by Arvest Bank.
Below is all the pertinent information regarding both tournaments.
The 2024 Girls Nixa Invitational Tournament (GNIT) will be held from January 18-20.
The 2024 Boys Nixa Invitational Tournament (BNIT) will be held from January 25-27.
Both tournaments will follow the traditional eight-team bracket format.
The girls tournament field features California, Cape Notre Dame, Fair Grove, Francis Howell Central, Helias Catholic, Marshfield, Nixa, and Republic.
Click here for the GNIT bracket.
Six of the tournament teams are ranked in the top ten in their respective classes in the most recent rankings by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (Jan. 15): Nixa (Class 6, T-No. 8), Francis Howell Central (Class 6, T-No. 8), Marshfield (Class 5, No. 6), Helias Catholic (Class 5, No. 10), Cape Notre Dame (Class 4, No. 5) and Fair Grove (Class 3, No. 2). California received honorable mention for Class 3.
Players ranked by Prep Girls Hoops MO competing in the tournament:
Class of 2024
No. 10, Adalyn Koelling, Helias Catholic (Murray State University Commit)
No. 23, Sadie Conway, Nixa (Rockhurst University Commit)
No. 34, Lauren Luebbert, Marshfield (Washburn University Commit)
No. 40, Claire Galbraith, Helias Catholic (Grand View Commit)
No. 59, Misora Nambara, Republic
No. 77, Penelope Cotton, California
No. 88, Alexis Matthews, Francis Howell Central
No. 96 Abby McBride, Marshfield (College of the Ozarks Commit)
Class of 2025
No. 9, Laila Grant, Nixa
No. 18, Brooke Daniels, Fair Grove
No. 19, Ashton Bell, Fair Grove
No. 23, Hailey Rademan, California
No. 31, Kiersten Lawson, California
No. 64, Audrey Blaine, Francis Howell Central
No. 91, Kennadi Harrison, Helias Catholic
No. 97, Karis Ferguson, Nixa
No. 105, Addy Ruffin, Nixa
Class of 2026
No. 8, Nevaeh Lucious, Cape Notre Dame
No. 28, Brie Rubel, Cape Notre Dame
No. 33, Lexi Ringgold, Nixa
No. 38, Tayte Higgins, California
No. 66, Awbree Berning, Republic
No. 72, Rebecca Kepes, Fair Grove
No. 99, Quinn Aldridge, Marshfield
The 97th annual boys tournament field includes Cape Notre Dame, Hillcrest, Logan-Rogersville, Marquette, New Madrid, Nixa (defending champion), Park Hill, and Troy.
Click here for the BNIT bracket.
The 2023 Class 3 defending state champions, New Madrid Eagles, are the lone team to be ranked (Class 3, No. 1) in the top ten by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association's Jan. 15Â recent rankings. Logan-Rogersville (Class 4) and Nixa (Class 6) received honorable mention.
Players ranked by Prep Boys Hoops MO competing in the tournament:
Class of 2024
No. 2, Jadis Jones, New Madrid, 3-Star Recruit, (247 Sports No. 7)
No. 16, BJ Williamson, New Madrid
No. 109, Garrett Hines, Nixa (Missouri S&T Commit)
No. 112, Josh Peters, Nixa
No. 123, Devon Kemp, Nixa
No. 128, Gavin Schagg, Park Hill
Class of 2025
No. 28, Andrew Moore, Troy
No. 103, Jack Prunty, Marquette
No. 119, Ra'Mond Black, New Madrid
Class of 2026
No. 26, Brody Owen, Marquette
No. 44, Isaiah Caston, Park Hill
No. 76, Alex Komorech, Marquette
Â
General NIT Information
Admission to the tournament is as followed:Â
Adult (College/Up) is $4.
Student (1st-12th) is $2.
Senior Citizen is free admission.
Passes that are not accepted are MTSA member cards, COC Passes, or other similar type of passes.
Every girls and boys game will be live broadcasted throughout the NIT on the Nixa Public Schools' YouTube channel by the Nixa Live Production students here or at the link below.
Live game updates will be available on the Nixa Athletics social media (Facebook, Instagram, X). Follow @nixaathletics to stay updated.
Tournament updates, daily scores, top performances, and brief recaps will be posted on our website below each day, along with social media channels.Â
Concessions will be available, and credit cards are accepted.
Tournament programs will be digital and can be found below closer to the tournament date.
For media requests/reservations, passes, or needs, please contact Alex Stein at alexstein@nixaschools.net.
Nixa High School would like to remind all spectators that this tournament is competitive, but it is also an educational experience for all players and students. Let's continue to show respect and sportsmanship throughout the tournament and refrain from negative cheers, chants, or behavior. We welcome our guests and wish all players good luck. Fans are also reminded that entering the court at any time is not permitted.
Â
Important Tournament Links:
2024 GNIT Bracket
2024 GNIT Bracket (Updated Semifinals)
2024 GNIT Bracket (Updated Placement)
2024 GNIT Bracket (Final)
2024 GNITÂ Program
2024 BNIT Bracket
2024 BNIT Bracket (Updated Semifinals)
2024 BNIT Bracket (Updated Placement)
2024 BNIT Bracket (Final)
2024 BNIT Program
Admission Link
Live Stream Link
Nixa Athletics Twitter
Nixa Athletics Facebook
Nixa Athletics Instagram
Â
Boys Updates:
Day 1 - Thursday, Jan. 25 Results:
Rogersville 62, Park Hill 58
New Madrid 58, Marquette 52
Nixa 63, Cape Notre Dame 35
Hillcrest 87, Troy 57
Friday, Jan. 26 Schedule (Semifinals):
Consolation Semifinal No. 1: Park Hill vs. Marquette | 4 p.m.
Consolation Semifinal No. 2: Cape Notre Dame vs. Troy | 5:30 p.m.
Championship Semifinal No. 1: Nixa vs. Hillcrest | 7 p.m.
Championship Semifinal No. 2: Rogersville vs. New Madrid | 8:30 p.m.
Day 2 - Friday, Jan. 26 Results:
Marquette 60, Park Hill 58
Cape Notre Dame 51, Troy 49
Nixa 81, Hillcrest 57
New Madrid 62, Rogersville 51
Saturday, Jan. 20 Schedule (Championships):
7th Place: Park Hill vs. Troy | 11 a.m.
Consolation Championship: Marquette vs. Cape Notre Dame | 12:30 p.m.
3rd Place: Rogersville vs. Hillcrest | 2 p.m.
Championship: New Madrid vs. Nixa | 3:30 p.m.
Day 3 - Saturday, Jan 20 Results:
7th Place: Park Hill 68, Troy 59
Consolation Championship: Marquette 49, Cape Notre Dame 34
3rd Place: Rogersville 58, Hillcrest 38
Championship: New Madrid 72, Nixa 65
Day 1 Leading Scorers:
37, Taner Hicks (Jr.), Hillcrest
26, Jadis Jones (Sr.), New Madrid
25, Andrew Moore (Jr.), Troy
23, Kyrese Simpson (Fr.), Hillcrest
20, Desire Tonye Nyemeck (Sr.), Park Hill
Day 2 Leading Scorers:
24, Adam McKnight (Fr.), Nixa
22, BJ Williamson (Sr.), New Madrid
22, Andrew Moore (Sr.), Troy
21, Jadis Jones (Sr.), New Madrid
20, Josh Peters (Sr.), Nixa
20, Chase Braham (Fr.), Rogersville
Day 3 Leading Scorers:
33, Andrew Moore (Jr.), Troy
27, Adam McKnight (Fr.), Nixa
25, Jadis Jones (Sr.), New Madrid
24, Kieran Burnett (Jr.), Marquette
23, BJ Williamson (Sr.), New Madrid
BNIT Leading Scorers After Day 2:
24.5 PPG, Taner Hicks (Jr.), Hillcrest
23.5 PPG, Andrew Moore (Jr.), Troy
23.5 PPG, Jadis Jones (Sr.), New Madrid
19.5 PPG, Chase Branham (Fr.), Rogersville
18 PPG, BJ Williamson (Sr.), New Madrid
Overall BNIT Leading Scorers:
26.7 PPG, Andrew Moore (Jr.), Troy
23.5 PPG, Jadis Jones (Sr.), New Madrid
20.3 PPG, Adam McKnight (Fr.), Nixa
19.7 PPG, BJ Williamson (Sr.), New Madrid
18.3 PPG, Chase Braham (Fr.), Rogersville
Team Leaders:
PPG Leaders After Day 1:
87, Hillcrest
63, Nixa
PPG Leaders After Day 2:
70, Hillcrest
70, Nixa
Overall BNIT PPG Leaders:
69.7, Nixa
64, New Madrid
Points Allowed After Day 1:
35, Nixa
52, New Madrid
Points Allowed After Day 2:
46, Nixa
51.5, New Madrid
Overall BNIT Points Allowed:
50, Marquette
52.7, Rogersville
Final Standings:
Champions, New Madrid
2nd, Nixa
3rd, Rogersville
4th, Hillcrest
5th, Marquette
6th, Cape Notre Dame
7th, Park Hill
8th, Troy
Denzil Morris Sportsmanship Award:
Marquette
Game Recaps:
Day 1
Game 1
Rogersville 62, Park Hill 58 - Jan. 25, 2024
By: Ryne Swanson, Student Intern
The first game of the 2024 Boys Nixa Invitational Tournament featured the Park Hill Trojans facing the Logan-Rogersville Wildcats.Â
A 24-point fourth quarter by Rogersville ultimately secured the 62-58 victory for the Wildcats.
The game would open up in a back-and-forth contest throughout the first quarter, with four lead changes and the Wildcats going into the second period up 17-12.
However, the Trojans would not be denied in the second, as it was another tightly contested quarter that saw Park Hill outscore Rogersville 15-10, behind nine points from Desire Tonye Nyemeck, and sent the game even at the break 27-27.
Both teams made the proper adjustments during the intermission, and defenses took control to begin the second half in the lowest-scoring quarter of the game. Park Hill eventually would win the period by a slim margin of 12-11 and take a one-point advantage into the final eight minutes.
In an epic conclusion, Park Hill extended its lead to as much as nine in the fourth, but behind a trio of 3-pointers in a row by the Wildcats and a Stewart McDonald reverse layup, that nine-point advantage did not last long.
McDonald's layup gave the Wildcats a 52-51 lead with 3:30 remaining, and Rogersville would be in control for the remainder of the game. The Wildcats went perfectly from the free-throw line down the stretch to win 62-58 and punch its ticket into the semifinals vs. the winner of New Madrid and Marquette.
With 20 seconds remaining and Park Hill down 58-55, the Trojans had a chance to tie the game, but the Rogersville defense came up with a big stop, as Park Hill was called for a traveling violation, and the victory was secured.
The Trojans move to the left side of the bracket and will face the loser of the same game.
A trio of Wildcats finished in double figures to lead the scoring for the Wildcats: Chase Branham (19), Scott Metz (18), and Jase Pettifurd (13).
Despite being on the opposite end of the scoreboard, the Trojans Tonye Nyemeck finished a game-high 20 points.
Box Score:
Rogersville 17 | 10 | 11 | 24 | 62
Park Hill 12 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 58
Leading Scorers:
Park Hill, Desire Tonye Nyemeck (Sr.), 20
Rogersville, Chase Branham (Fr.), 19
Rogersville, Scott Metz (Sr.), 18
Park Hill, Isaiah Caston (So.), 14
Rogersville, Jase Pettifurd (Jr.), 13
Game 2
New Madrid 58, Marquette 52 - Jan. 25, 2024
By: Alex Stein, Nixa Public Schools
In the second game of the opening day of the 2024 BNIT, the Class 3 defending state champions and No. 1-ranked team, the New Madrid Eagles, faced the Marquette Mustangs out of St. Louis, Mo.
New Madrid overcame a slow start and a first-half deficit to defeat the Mustangs 58-52.
Marquette jumped out to a 12-4 advantage and carried a 14-8 lead after the first quarter behind the play of Alex Komorech, who scored half of the Mustangs points in the opening period.
The Eagles would spark runs in the early and late stages of the second quarter with big 3-point plays. Marquette extended its lead to as much as 11, 32-21, with under two minutes to play, but New Madrid ended the quarter on an 8-0 run, and the Eagles went into the break trailing by three.
New Madrid's dynamic duo of BJ Williamson (6) and Jadis Jones (2) catapulted the late run.
Out of the break, the Eagles defense stifled the Mustangs, while the offense went on a 6-0 run and took its first lead of the game with a transition layup by Jones, giving New Madrid the 33-32 advantage. The Eagles would never trail from that point.
New Madrid shut out the Mustangs for the first four and half minutes of the second half until Marquette's Jack Prunty nailed a corner 3-pointer with 3:30 left, bringing the game to 39-35 in favor of the Eagles.
Jones scored eight points in the third, upping his point total to 20 and sending the Eagles into the fourth quarter with a 43-38 lead.
In the fourth quarter, New Madrid would use long possessions, a 5-0 run, and clutch free-throw shooting to seal the 58-52 victory.
Marquette did manage to bring the game within one midway through the fourth with a Max Radovilsky 3-pointer, but following, New Madrid went on its 5-0 run, cementing the win.
Jones (26) and Williamson (14) posted double-figures in the triumph for New Madrid.
New Madrid advances to the semifinals against Logan-Rogersville in a rematch of the 2023 NIT third-place game that saw the Wildcats oust the Eagles 62-50.Â
Marquette takes on Park Hill in the consolation bracket semifinal.
Box Score:
New Madrid 8 | 21 | 14 | 15 | 58
Marquette 14 | 18 | 6 | 14 | 52
Leading Scorers:
New Madrid, Jadis Jones (Sr.), 26
Marquette, Alex Komerech (So.), 17
New Madrid, BJ Williamson (Sr.), 14
Marquette, Max Radovilsky (Jr.), 11
New Madrid, AJ Ruff (Sr.), 9
Game 3
Nixa 63, Cape Notre Dame 35 - Jan. 25, 2024
By: Aiden Hopkins, Student Intern
The Nixa Eagles put on a master performance to advance to the Nixa Invitational Tournament semifinal, knocking off the Cape Notre Dame Bulldogs 63-35 in the third game of the evening.
Nixa got on the board quickly with an early 3-pointer from Garret Hines, and from there, the Eagles offense was rolling.Â
Halfway through the first quarter, the Eagles held a 10-3 lead after a big deep ball from Josh Peters. The Eagles bench came in and continued to dominate the rest of the period. At the end of one, Nixa carried a 16-11 advantage.
The second quarter provided an offensive clinic for the Eagle as Nixa scored 24 in the period. It was a junior takeover as Keivon Flint, Bryce Foster, and Lane Meltabarger put points on the board early in the quarter to help ignite an 11-0 run, extending the lead to 27-11. The Eagles continued to share the ball, and its lock down defense sent Nixa into the break with a 40-15 advantage.
In the second half, Nixa began holding back on offense while the defense remained locked down and forcing Bulldog turnovers.
Following a Bulldogs turnover, freshman Adam McKnight sent a jolt through Eagle FIeldhouse with a monstrous dunk midway through the third period, putting the Eagle's up 46-23. Notre Dame attempted everything the Bulldogs could on offense, but Nixa answered in every way, ending the third frame up 58-26.
As the fourth period began, the Eagles began to let off the gas offensively in the seemingly impossible game to lose. Halfway through the frame, Nixa carried a 63-31 advantage and started to drain the clock with long possessions. A Bulldogs basket late in the game concluded the game's scoring and Nixa's 63-35 victory.
Nixa advances to the semifinals vs. the winner of Hillcrest and Troy, while Cape Notre Dame moves to the left side of the bracket vs. the loser.
Box Score:
Nixa 16 | 24 | 18 | 5 | 63
Notre Dame CG 11 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 35
Leading Scorers:
Nixa, Josh Peters (Sr.), 13
Notre Dame CG, Kolton Johnson (Jr.), 11
Notre Dame CG, Brett Donhogne (Jr.), 10
Nixa, Adam McKnight (Fr.), 10
Nixa, Garrett Hines (Sr.), 10
Game 4
Hillcrest 87, Troy 58 - Jan. 25, 2024
By: Brady Retone, Student Intern
The last game of the night was between Hillcrest and Troy, and it was the Hornets who shot lights out and ran away with a 30-point victory over the Trojans 87-57.
The contest favored the Trojans early, as Troy held a small lead throughout most of the first until the Hillcrest's Ethan Weaver capitalized on a massive putback, evening the game at 10 and forcing an opposition timeout.
Out of the timeout, Hillcrest's offense began to click, and eventually, the game would quickly turn. A big alley-oop to AK Staten-Ballance on a fast break would give the Hornets the first lead of the night. Staten-Ballance then hit a 3-pointer on the next possession, and all momentum was now with the Hornets leading 17-10 after the first.Â
What looked like a close game going into the second quarter turned completely side-ways.Â
The Hornets would explode for a 25-point quarter, ultimately being the deciding factor in the game. Taner Hicks would record just under half of those points, beginning with back-to-back 3-pointers to start the period.
Hillcrest eventually went on an 18-2 run in the second with Hicks' performance.
Hicks ended the first-half scoring with a pull-up jumper, giving Hillcrest a 42-20 lead at the break.
Following halftime, Hillcrest remained on fire and clicking all cylinders, due in large part to its junior guard. Hicks' dropped another double-digit scoring quarter with 12, accounting again for just under half of the points for the Hornets. Kyrese Simpson poured in an additional six points in the third.
The Hornets scored 50 points in the middle two-quarters of the game, propelling a 67-52 advantage into the fourth, where the Hornets could comfortably relax, and normal reserves get a shining moment.
Hillcrest extended its lead to as much as 33 in the fourth, enacting the turbo clock in the 30-point victory.
Hicks scored another seven in the fourth to cap off his historic night. He concluded the game with 37 points, etching his name into the record books as the 9th-best all-time single-game performance in the tournament's 97th-year history.
Simpson also posted a 20-plus outing with 23 points.
Troy's Andrew Moore was a bright spot for the Trojans, scoring 26 in the defeat.
Hillcrest advances to play in the semifinal against Nixa, while Troy plays Notre Dame on the left side of the bracket.
Box Score:
Hillcrest 17 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 87
Troy 10 | 10 | 22 | 15 | 57
Leading Scorers:
Hillcrest, Taner Hicks (Jr.), 37
Troy, Andrew Moore (Jr.), 26
Hillcrest, Kyrese Simpson (Fr.), 23
Hillcrest, AK Staten-Ballance (Sr.), 9
Hillcrest, Ethan Weaver (Jr.), 8
Day 2
Game 1
Marquette 60, Park Hill 58
By: Ryne Swanson, Student Intern
Â
The first of two consolation games kicked off with a matchup between two fellow Class 6 teams, the Marquette Mustangs and the Park Hill Trojans, seeking some positives from the tournament after dropping tough opening-round games.
Marquette would win in a hard-fought contest, 60-58, in a game that came down to the wire.Â
In the opening frame of the contest, both teams came out clicking offensively, as it was the highest-scoring quarter of the game. Park Hill's Isaiah Caston put on a clinic, scoring 11 points, nine of which came from beyond the arc, but it was enough to put the Trojans up.
After an exchange of runs and baskets in the first, the Mustangs held a one-point advantage, 18-17, with five different players getting at least one bucket.
The final eight minutes of the first half saw the Mustangs get into foul trouble, as the Trojans would get five free points from the charity stripe. Seven points from Desire Tonye Nyemeck in the second quarter also helped win the period for Park Hill 16-13 and send the Trojans into the intermission leading 33-31, setting up for a game-deciding second half.Â
In the third quarter, it would be the Mustangs coming out of the break and winning the period 15-14. Jack Prunty drilled a deep 3-pointer for the half's opening points and regained the lead for Marquette.Â
The lead was short-lived, as the Trojans took command midway through the third with a Tonye Nyemeck trey, placing Park Hill up 39-36 and holding onto a slim one-possession advantage for the majority of the four remaining minutes.
The Mustangs 6-foot-4 big man, Alex Komorech, kept his squad battling and scored eight of the team's 15 points in the frame. But Komorech and the Mustangs needed a big fourth quarter to advance, as Park Hill led 47-46 after three.
In the final minutes of a close game, Park Hills' offense would hit a stalemate, and the Mustangs capitalized. Komorech's reverse layup with 5:40 remaining gave Marquette a 51-47 lead, and on the Mustangs next possession, Alex Danyluck's put-back floater extended the lead to six.Â
Marquette's two-possession gap would be enough, but not without a fight, though.
Park Hill's offense would get rolling, but Marquette had an answer for each Trojan basket. Tonye Nymeck's third 3-pointer of the game with under a minute remaining made things interesting and brought the game to a one-possession difference, 58-55.Â
Then, the Mustangs were unable to have a successful inbounds and turned the ball over. Cameron Jones' drive and finish trimmed the Trojans deficit to 58-57 and 30 seconds left on the clock.Â
Missed free throws allowed Park Hill to at least tie the game on the last shot. With 8.8 remaining, Caston went coast-to-coast, and after a few passes, the ball was back in his hands for a deep 3-point game-winning attempt from near the volleyball line.Â
Caston's attempt hit the front iron, and Marquette escaped with the 60-58 victory and a berth in the consolation championship game vs. the winner of Notre Dame and Troy.
Park Hill drops to the seventh-place game vs. the loser.
Box Score:
Marquette 18 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 60
Park Hill 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 58
Leading Scorers:
Park Hill, Cameron Jones (Jr.), 19
Park Hill, Isaiah Caston (So.), 16
Marquette, Alex Komorech (So.), 15
Park Hill, Desire Tonye Nyemeck (Sr.), 13
Marquette, Brody Owen (So.), 13
Game 2
Notre Dame CG 51, Troy 49
By: Alex Stein, Nixa Public Schools
In the second contest on the consolation side of the bracket, Notre Dame faced Troy for a berth in the fifth-place game.
Notre Dame survived a last-second shot by Troy and defeated the Trojans 61-59.
In the first half, it was a back-and-forth matchup that saw each team spark runs. Notre Dame extended its lead to as large as 10 early in the second quarter, but Troy had the last run of the half and trailed 27-20 at the break.
The second half provided an exciting two-quarters of basketball.Â
Andrew Moore single-handily brought the Trojans back into the game. Moore scored 10 of the Trojans 13 points in the period, including a trio of 3-pointers. His final deep ball of the quarter trimmed Troy's deficit to 33-32 with under two minutes to play.
A pair of free throws by Notre Dame and one by Moore made the game 35-33 after three.
The Bulldogs dealt a devastating blow to the Trojans to begin the fourth.Â
Notre Dame went on an 8-0 and held onto an 8-point advantage until the midway mark of the period. To make for a deeper hole to overcome, Moore was called for his fifth personal foul on a charging decision by the referees two minutes into the fourth.
But, a lot of game was left. Â
With two minutes left and Troy trailing 49-40, the Trojans made one last fight. The Bulldogs and Trojans traded a few free throws. Then, Aiden Vacarro blew by his defender and scored a layup, bringing the game to 50-47 and 55 seconds remaining.
The Trojans forced a turnover with 45 seconds left, and Carson Brown added two points for Troy with an easy basket down low, and it was a one-point game just like that.
The Bulldogs Logan Landwee scored the game's final points with a freebie and 20 seconds left, but the Trojans still had a chance.
Troy had a contested layup hit the front of the rim, grabbed the offensive rebound, and was fouled in the put-back attempt with one second on the clock. The Trojans were unsuccessful in the first attempt and set up an intentionally missed free throw that fell right into the hands of Vacarro on the wing.Â
Vacarro had a great look from mid-range but fell short, and the Bulldogs survived, advancing to the consolation championship game against Marquette.
Moore led all scorers with a game-high 22 points, while the Bulldogs offense was very widespread with Brett Dohogne (15), Kolton Johnson (14), and Hunter Bonham (12) finishing in double figures.
Troy drops to the seventh-place game vs. Park Hill.Â
Box Score:
Notre Dame CG 18 | 9 | 8 | 16 | 51
Troy 9 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 49
Leading Scorers:
Troy, Andrew Moore (Jr.), 22
Notre Dame CG, Brett Dohogne (Jr.), 15
Notre Dame CG, Kolton Johnson (Jr.), 14Â
Notre Dame CG, Hunter Bonham (Jr.), 12
Troy, Eli Richards (Sr.), 10
Game 3
Nixa 81, Hillcrest 58
By: Aiden Hopkins, Student Intern
The Nixa Eagles defeated the Hillcrest Hornets in the first semifinal matchup late Friday evening 81-58.
The Eagles struck first with sophomore big man Jackson Cantwell using his size advantage in the post, putting a quick two points on the board. Hillcrest answered with a 5-0 run, which was promptly halted by a Josh Peters layup. Following, it was a quarter of traded baskets, ending in favor of Nixa, 18-14.
Starting off the second period, Hillcrest got off to a 7-2 run, putting the Hornets up 21-20. Similar to the first, the teams exchanged points, with Nixa regaining the lead at the 4:33 mark, forcing the Hornets to take a timeout. Coming out of the timeout, a 9-6 Hillcrest run evened the score at 30.Â
Nixa would have the last run of the first half and went into the break leading 36-32.
The last 16 minutes of the ballgame was dominated by the Eagles. Nixa had its best two quarters offensively and defensively, eventually running away with the victory.
Nixa scored 23 points in the third frame, most of which came from Peters, Adam McKnight, and the Flint brothers, who propelled the Eagles to a double-digit, 59-47, at the end of the third.
The fourth quarter was an entertaining period, with everything clicking offensively before head coach Brock Blansit pulled out leading scorers Adam McKnight and Josh Peters from the game. McKnight (24) and Peters (20) exited with a standing ovation as the two dropped 20 plus.Â
The bench came in and kept the momentum rolling for the Eagles, as Nixa doubled up on the Hornets in the fourth and won the quarter 22-11, sealing the 81-57 victory and berth in its fifth-straight NIT title game.
Taner Hicks and Kyrese Simpson were bright spots for Hillcrest in the defeat, scoring 12 each.
Nixa awaits the winner of New Madrid and Rogersville for the 2024 BNIT championship, while Hillcrest takes on the loser of the same game for third place.
Box Score:
Nixa 18 | 18 | 23 | 22 | 81
Hillcrest 14 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 58
Leading Scorers:
Nixa, Adam McKnight (Fr.), 24
Nixa, Josh Peters (Sr.), 20
Nixa, Keivon Flint (Jr.), 13
Hillcrest, Taner Hicks (Jr.), 12
Hillcrest, Kyrese Simpson (Fr.), 12
Game 4
New Madrid 62, Rogersville 51 - Jan. 26, 2024
By: Brady Retone, Student Intern
The New Madrid Eagles and Rogersville Wildcats concluded the semifinal rounds of the BNIT.
In a low-scoring affair, New Madrid punched its date with Nixa in the championship game after a stout second-half defensive effort that helped defeat the Wildcats 62-51.
The Wildcats started the game off hot, with inside-out basketball leading to a Jase Pettifurd 3-pointer. But that was quickly answered by a Jadis Jones layup.
The Eagles took its first lead following a BJ Williamson deep ball and transition layup that sparked his big night, giving the Eagles an early 7-3 lead.
New Madrid would onto a lead and after the first eight minutes, the game favored the Eagles 16-14.
30 seconds into the second quarter, Ross Lawrence would drive to the hoop, make the layup, and fouled in the process. Lawrence converted the freebie and regained the lead for the Wildcats.
It was a back-and-forth period for the remainder of the second, but Williamson struck again and shifted the game completely on the final play of the first half. Williamson confidently pulled up from the volleyball line, swished the buzzer-beating 3-pointer, and sent the Eagles into the break leading 28-26.
The teams made the proper defensive adjustments at the intermission, and it was evident on the New Madrid side.
The Eagles allowed just six points in the third period and converted Wildcat turnovers into points. Chase Branham (4) and Scott Metz (2) scored the only Rogersville points.Â
Both teams saw a four-minute scoreless drought in the third as well.
New Madrid's AJ Ruff would finally give the Eagles some separation after hitting a wing three and converting an and-one play. Ruff's 3-point play gave New Madrid a 41-32 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
The Eagles would hold onto at least a two-possession advantage for the duration of the fourth. Williamson's fast-break transition layup, coming off a one-handed throw from Jones, gave the Eagles its largest lead of the game, 52-40, with 3:15 on the clock.
The Wildcats would find ways to score, and just when Rogersville would get the game within single digits a few times, the Eagles would answer each with a basket of their own, keeping a strong foothold in the game.
New Madrid made seven free throws in the fourth (11-of-14 in the game), ultimately sealing the 62-51 victory and ticket to the championship game.
Rogersville drops to third-place game vs. Hillcrest.
The star-power duo of Williamson (22) and Jones (21) scored 20-plus, while AJ Ruff added another 13 for New Madrid.
Rogersville's Branham shined in the defeat, also dropping 20.
Box Score:
New Madrid 16 | 12 | 13 | 21 | 62
Rogersville 14 | 12 | 6 | 19 | 51
Leading Scorers:
New Madrid, BJ Williamson (Sr.), 22
New Madrid, Jadis Jones (Sr.), 21
Rogersville, Chase Branham (Fr.), 20
New Madrid, AJ Ruff (Sr.), 13
Rogersville, Ross Lawrence (Sr.), Scott Metz (Sr.), Jase Pettifurd (Jr.), 6
Day 3
Game 1 - 7th Place
Park Hill 68, Troy 59Â - Jan. 27, 2024
By: Alex Stein, Nixa Public Schools
Troy and Park Hill kicked off the final day of the 2024 BNIT in a battle of Class 6 Trojans for seventh place.
Park Hill used a fast start and a 20-plus point first quarter to defeat Troy 68-59, capturing its first win of the BNIT.
Park Hill began the game on an 8-0 run and extended its lead to as large as 16, 23-7, with roughly a minute left in the opening quarter following a Hagan West 3-pointer. Isaiah Caston scored 10, six of which came from beyond the arc, of his 16 points in the period, helping bolt Park Hill to a 23-13 advantage after one.
In the second quarter, Troy's Andrew Moore scored nine points, but that was not enough to make a dent in its deficit, as both teams drew even at 15 all. With all of Park Hill's starters already on the scoresheet, Troy was down double digits, 38-28, at the intermission.
Troy had a strong second half, much in large to its star Moore, but its first-half hole was too large to overcome. Park Hill won the third barely 11-9, and Troy owned the fourth 22-19.
Park Hill's first-quarter explosion was the deciding factor in the game, as the Kansas City area Trojans had four players post double figures and journeyed home with the 68-59 triumph.
Despite being on the opposite result, Moore's great tournament performance concluded with his best offensive output, accounting for over half of Troy's points. The junior guard poured in a game-high 33, a tournament-second best, which led to Moore earning the scoring crown. He scored 20-plus each game, totaling 80 points (26.7 PPG) and placing him in the top 15 single-tournament all-time scoring leaders. His 33-point outing also placed him in the top 15 for a single game. Moore's two-year stint in the NIT has seen him total 107 points, also in the record books.
Box Score:
Park Hill 23 | 15 | 11 | 19 | 68
Troy 13 | 15 | 9 | 22 | 59
Leading Scorers:
Troy, Andrew Moore (Jr.), 33
Park Hill, Isaiah Caston (So.), 16
Park Hill, Akoi Akoi (Sr.), 15
Park Hill, Kayden Boersma, (Jr), 11
Park Hill, Desire Tonye Nyemeck (Sr.), 11
Game 2 - Consolation Championship
Marquette 49, Notre Dame CG 34 - Jan. 27, 2024
By: Alex Stein, Nixa Public Schools
Marquette and Notre Dame competed for the consolation championship in the final game on the left side of the bracket.
The Mustangs would prevail in a contest where defenses shined in a low-scoring affair, and a 22-point third quarter by Marquette secured the 49-34 fifth-place victory.
The first-half action consisted of limited offense by both squads, as only a combined 32 points were scored, with Notre Dame leading at the intermission 18-14.
Marquette had its best quarter of complimentary basketball in the third quarter, due in large part to the Mustang's 6-foot-4 junior big man Kieran Burnett. Burnett alone doubled the amount of points the Bulldogs had all quarter while the defense flustered the Bulldogs.
Hunter Bonham scored the Bulldogs final points of the period with a baseline jumper, giving Notre Dame its last lead of the game, 22-20, and 5:10 on the clock.
The Mustangs enacted the full-court press, and Burnett scored the next five points and gave the Bulldogs the lead. The junior went on to have 16 points in the third for his game-high 24 points. His final game point came via the charity stripe and sent Marquette into the fourth period with a 36-22 advantage.
Marquette would coast in the fourth quarter and win the period 13-12. The Bulldogs Kolton Johnson had eight of Notre Dame's 12 points, but the third quarter five-minute stalemate ultimately was the deciding factor that the team could not overcome.
The Mustangs eventually captured the consolation trophy with the 49-34 stout defensive effort, and following the contest, Marquette was awarded the 2024 Denzil Morris Sportsmanship Award.
The 6-foot-4 combo of Burnett and Alex Komorech led Marquette the entire tournament, as both concluded the BNIT averaging double-figures, 12.7 PPG and 14 PPG, respectively. Komorech had double-digit outings in each game. Brody Owen also finished the tournament with 10 PPG.
Box Score:
Marquette 8 | 6 | 22 | 13 | 49
Notre Dame CG 10 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 34
Leading Scorers:
Marquette, Kieran Burnett (Jr.), 24
Notre Dame CG, Kolton Johnson (Jr.), 13
Notre Dame CG, Brett Dohogne (Jr.), 12
Marquette, Alex Komorech (So.), 10
Marquette, Brody Owen (So.), 9
Game 3 - 3rd Place
Rogersville 58, Hillcrest 38 - Jan. 27, 2024
By: Alex Stein, Nixa Public Schools
The Rogersville Wildcats and the Hillcrest Hornets met in the third-place contest, seeking to rebound from tough semifinal defeats.
The Wildcats dominated the game from start to finish and nearly shut out the Hornets in the opening quarter, coasting to a 58-38 victory.
Rogersville went on a 10-0 to start the game and jumped out to a 17-2 lead after the first quarter, mainly due to the Wildcats freshman sensation Chase Branham who scored nine in the frame.Â
It took Hillcrest almost six minutes to beat the Rogersville defense for its first points.
In the second quarter, it was the 6-foot-6 big man Scott Metz's show. The senior dropped nine of the Wildcats 17 points in the period.Â
The Hornets had a stronger showing offensively in the second quarter but were still outscored 17-13. Hillcrest's sophomore, Dre Tatum, came alive and accounted for 10 of those 13 points.
At the break, Rogersville had a commanding lead of 34-15. Metz (13) and Branham (12) tallied the majority of the points.
The Wildcats eventually coasted through the second half and carried at least a 15-point lead for the duration of the game. Braham's free-throw line jumper brought the lead back over 20, 41-20, with five minutes left in the third. A few possessions later, a Metz transition dunk extended the lead to 26, 46-20.
Rogersville took a 50-25 lead into the fourth quarter, and the game was ultimately decided.
Hillcrest would finally get a quarter in its favor, outscoring the Wildcats 13-8 in the period, but its first-quarter offensive woes doomed the Hornets, which they could not overcome. Malachi Shull scored all but two of Hillcrest's points in the fourth.
The dominating defensive cemented the third-place trophy for a second year in a row for the Wildcats, as Branham's 16 and Metz's 15 secured the 58-38 triumph.
Brahman had a great tournament run in his first NIT. He scored double-digits every game, including a 20-point semifinal outing, and totaled 55 points (18.3 PPG) in three games, finishing as the fifth top scorer in the tournament.
Metz also concluded with double figures, averaging 13 PPG.
Hillcrest's Taner Hicks posted an impressive 17 PPG, including a 2024 tournament-best 37 in the opener.
Box Score:
Rogersville 17 | 17 | 16 | 8 | 58Â
Hillcrest 2 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 38
Leading Scorers:
Rogersville, Chase Branham (Fr.), 16
Rogersville, Scott Metz (Sr.), 15
Hillcrest, Malachi Shull (Sr.), 14
Hillcrest, Dre Tatum (So.), 12
Rogersville, Ross Lawrence (Sr.), Marcus Moore (So.), 6
Game 4 -Â Championship
New Madrid 72, Nixa 65 - Jan. 27, 2024
By: Alex Stein, Nixa Public Schools
The 2024 97th Boys Nixa Invitational Tournament championship game featured the matchup every one wanted prior to the tournament, Nixa and New Madrid.Â
The two teams met in the semifinal round a year ago in an epic contest that saw Kael Combs have a historic night by scoring 46 points en route to Nixa's 78-67 victory.
This go-around, the highly-anticipated matchup lived up to the hype and it was the defending Class 3 champs' free-throw shooting and star-studded duo that lifted New Madrid to the 72-65 victory.
The first-half saw each team spark runs in the respective periods.Â
The opening quarter was owned by New Madrid, as the southeast Eagles ended the first on a 7-0 run, capped off by its star guard BJ Williamson's volleyball line buzzer-beating 3-pointer that gave his squad a 22-14 advantage. Williamson's star counter-part big man and DI prospect, Jadis Jones, scored half the team's first-period points.
The southwest Eagles controlled the second and kickstarted the quarter on a 10-0 run. An Adam McKnight contested layup gave Nixa a 24-22 lead two minutes into the second but the advantage was shortlived. New Madrid's AJ Ruff immediately answered with a 3-pointer.Â
McKnight and the tournament-host Eagles outscored the opposition 15-7 in the second, which evened the contest at 29 all heading into the break.
The third quarter was the deciding factor in the game.Â
Nixa lead as much as six, 39-33, midway through the quarter but let the advantage slip away with fouls. Nixa allowed New Madrid to go to the free-throw line 12 times in period, and went a perfect 12-of-12 from the charity stripe. 10 of those came from Williamson (6) and Jones (4). Williamson's freebie with roughly a minute left in the third regained the lead for New Madrid, and never trailed from that point.
McKnight kept his Eagles in the game, though. He added another six points to his line but it was New Madrid being plus-six at the end of three, winning the period 23-17.
Entering the final eight minutes, the title was in site and in New Madrid's hands with a 52-46 advantage.
Nixa brought the game within one early in the fourth with a pair of Josh Peters free throws. Then, the teams traded baskets and it was a one-possession game until New Madrid dealt Nixa a devastating dagger with 3:50 left. Jones was double teammed near halfcourt and found Ruff alone on the wing who swished in the 3-pointer, extenidng New Madrid's lead to 61-56.
The tournament-host never gave up and made things interesting in the final two minutes. Peters corralled an offensive rebound, sank the putback, and was fouled in the process. He converted the and-one attempt, cutting the deficit to 64-61 and 1:43 on the clock.Â
New Madrid got the next four points, as Williamson used his speed and scored two transition layups. Nixa answered with a Hines deep 3-pointer to bring the game to 68-64 and 1:08 left, but Williamson, again, used his quickness to prohop by a defender and convert the layup, ultimately putting the game out of reach.
Ty Williams knocked down a pair of free throws for the game's final points and helped New Madrid finish an impressive 20-of-25 from the line, sealing the the 72-65 victory and the tournament championship.
The difference in the game came from free points, as Nixa went to the line three more times than New Madrid but only scored 17.Â
Like they did all tournament, Jones and Williamson were top performers on the New Madrid side, as the dynamic duo tallied 25 and 23 points, respectively. Ruff hit big time shots in his 15-point effort.
It was the freshman phenom, McKnight, though, who scored the game-high with 27.
Jones (24 PPG), McKnight (20.3 PPG), and Williamson (19.7 PPG) were walking buckets all tournament, concluding as the No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 top scorers of the tournament.
For a second-consecutive year, Jones and Williamson found themselves in the top five scorers, as two finished No. 3 and No. 4, with 23 PPG and 19.7 PPG.
Jones capped off his nine-game stint (2022-2024) in the Nixa Invitational Tournament with 185 career points (20.6 PPG), placing him as the No. 6 all-time scorer in the tournament's 97 year history.
Box Score:
New Madrid 22 | 7 | 23 | 20 | 72
Nixa 14 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 65
Leading Scorers:
Nixa, Adam McKnight (Fr.), 27
New Madrid, Jadis Jones (Sr.), 25
New Madrid, BJ Williamson (Sr.), 23
New Madrid, AJ Ruff (Sr.), 15
Nixa, Garrett Hines (Sr.), Josh Peters (Sr.), 11
Girls Updates:
Day 1 - Thursday, Jan. 18 Results:
Nixa 66, Francis Howell Central 35
Republic 58, Cape Notre Dame 45
Marshfield 64, California 63
Fair Grove 54, Helias Catholic 43
Friday, Jan. 19 Schedule (Semifinals):
Consolation Semifinal No. 1: Cape Notre Dame vs. Francis Howell Central | 4 p.m.
Consolation Semifinal No. 2: Helias Catholic vs. California | 5:30 p.m.
Championship Semifinal No. 1: Republic vs. Nixa | 7 p.m.
Championship Semifinal No. 2: Fair Grove vs. Marshfield | 8:30 p.m.
Day 2 - Friday, Jan. 19 Results:
Cape Notre Dame 51, Francis Howell Central 33
Helias Catholic 77, California 45
Republic 55, Nixa 53
Marshfield 56, Fair Grove 49
Saturday, Jan. 20 Schedule (Championships):
7th Place: California vs. Francis Howell Central | 11 a.m.
Consolation Championship: Helias Catholic vs. Cape Notre Dame | 12:30 p.m.
3rd Place: Fair Grove vs. Fair Grove | 2 p.m.
Championship: Marshfield vs. Republic | 3:30 p.m.
Day 3 Saturday, Jan 20 Results:
7th Place: California 51, Francis Howell Central 34
Consolation Championship: Cape Notre Dame 62, Helias Catholic 58
3rd Place: Fair Grove 66, Nixa 62 (OT)
Championship: Republic 60, Marshfield 55
Final Places:
1st, Republic
2nd, Marshfield
3rd, Fair Grove
4th, Nixa
5th, Cape Notre Dame
6th, Helias Catholic
7th, California
8th, Francis Howell Central
Day 1 Leading Scorers:
25, Ella Bailey (Sr.), California
21, Peyton Ward (Fr.), Marshfield
19, Adalyn Koelling (Sr.), Helias Catholic
18, Abby McBride (Sr.), Marshfield
16, Ashton Bell (Jr.), Fair Grove
Day 2 Leading Scorers:
22, Claire Galbraith (Sr.), Helias Catholic
21, Misora Nambara (Sr.), Republic
18, Adalyn Koelling (Sr.), Helias Catholic
18, Abby McBride (Sr.), Marshfield
17, Molly Blades (Sr.), Republic
Day 3 Leading Scorers:
29, Taylor Wood (So.), Nixa
26, Ashton Bell (Jr.), Fair Grove
23, Lauren Luebbert (Sr.), Marshfield
21, Brie Rubel (So.), Cape Notre Dame
20, Ella Bailey (Sr.), California
GNIT Leading Scorers After Day 2:
18 PPG, Adalyn Koelling (Sr.), Helias Catholic
18 PPG, Misora Nambara (Sr.), Republic
18 PPG, Abby McBride (Sr.), Marshfield
15 PPG, Ashton Bell (Jr.), Fair Grove
14.5 PPG, Kierstyn Lawson (Jr.)
Overall GNIT Leading Scorers:
18.7 PPG, Ashton Bell (Jr.), Fair Grove
18 PPG, Adalyn Koelling (Sr.), Helias Catholic
17.3 PPG, Misora Nambara (Sr.), Republic
16.3 PPG, Taylor Wood (So.), Nixa
15.7 PPG, Ella Bailey (Sr.), California
Team Leaders:
PPG Leaders After Day 1:
66, Nixa
64, Marshfield
PPG Leaders After Day 2:
60, Marshfield
60, Helias Catholic
59.5, Nixa
Overall GNIT PPG Leaders:
60.3, Nixa
59.3, Helias Catholic
Points Allowed After Day 1:
35, Nixa
43, Fair Grove
Points Allowed After Day 2:
45, Nixa
45.5 Notre Dame
Overall GNIT Points Allowed:
49.7 Notre Dame
51, Republic
Updated Bracket After Day 1
Updated Bracket After Day 2
2024 Final Bracket
Â
Game Recaps:
Day 1
Game 1
Nixa 66, Francis Howell Central 35 - Jan. 18, 2024
By: Ryne Swanson, Student Intern
Nixa and Francis Howell Central kicked off the 2024 edition of the Girls Nixa Invitational Tournament (GNIT). Both teams received a No. 8-state ranking in the Jan. 15 polls.
The Nixa Eagles entered the 10-3, seeking its first GNIT title since 2019. The Francis Howell Central (FHC) Spartans came in at 8-2 and journeyed nearly four hours from St. Louis, looking to make a deep run in their first GNIT in program history.Â
But, the tournament host halted that attempt for a deep run.
Offenses on both sides were clicking early, with the game quickly jumping to 10-7 in favor of the Eagles, but this trend would not continue.Â
Following a Nixa steal and Laila Grant transition basket midway through the opening period, the two teams were deadlocked at 12-7 for nearly three minutes until FHC's Addie Henderson nailed a pair of freebies from the charity stripe. Â
Karis Ferguson swished home a wing 3-pointer, coming off a beautiful assist from Brooke Teter, for the quarter's final points, giving the Eagles a 15-9 lead after one.Â
It was a similar tale of a tug-of-war game to begin the second quarter like the first, as both teams battled to gain momentum. Thanks to its suffocating full-court defense, Nixa would eventually dominate the second, and the Eagles fully grasped momentum when Lilly Mahy sank a 3-pointer to put Nixa up 22-13 with five minutes left.
Nixa forced a plethora of FHC turnovers and outscored the Spartans 25-9 in the second, ultimately being the deciding quarter in the game.
The Eagles led by over 20 at the intermission, 40-18.
The first-half offensive fireworks were stomped in the third as both teams made the proper adjustments during the break. It was the lowest-scoring quarter of the game that saw Nixa win the frame 9-7. Five of the Eagles' nine points came from the free-throw line.
The Spartans had its strongest offensive quarter in the fourth, scoring 10, both could not match Nixa's firepower on the other side. Midway through the fourth, Mahy drained another 3-pointer and extended Nixa's lead to 59-31, and head coach Jennifer Talbert substituted her starting five, and the reserves received their moment.
Lexi Ringgold (2) and Kennedy Nash (5) scored Nixa's final points of the game and secured the 66-35 victory.
Nixa advances to the championship semifinals vs. the winner of Republic and Cape Notre Dame, while the Spartans drop to the consolation semifinals vs. the loser of the same game.
Box Score:
Nixa 15 | 25 | 9 | 17 | 66
Francis Howell Central 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 35
Leading Scorers:
Nixa, Brooke Teter (Jr.), 12
Nixa, Lilly Mahy (Sr.), 11
Nixa, Taylor Wood, (So.), 10
FHC, Morgan Davis (Jr.), 10
Nixa, Sadie Conway (Sr.), 9
FHC, Addie Henderson (Jr.), 9
Game 2
Republic 58, Cape Notre Dame 45 - Jan. 18, 2024
By: Alex Stein, Nixa Public Schools
The second game of the opening night featured two teams well acquainted with the GNIT, as the Republic Tigers and the Cape Notre Bulldogs clashed for their right in the semifinal against Nixa.
Republic has competed in the GNIT since its relaunch in 2019. The tournament saw a standstill from 1977 to 2019, making this year the 6th Annual. For half of those years, the Tigers have appeared in the title game and finished runners-up in each, compiling an overall record of 8-4 in the GNIT.Â
Notre Dame, the No. 5-ranked team in Class 4, is appearing in its third-consecutive GNIT.Â
Last year, these two clashed for third place, and Republic defeated the Bulldogs 58-38.
This go-around, it was all the Tigers again.
Republic exploded for a 20-point opening period, with six different Tigers tallying on the scoresheet early. The Tigers used an 11-3 run in the late stages of the first to grasp a double-digit lead heading into the second.
After one, it was 20-10, Republic.
Notre Dame opened the second with a 4-0 run, all from the Rubel sisters, Brie and Kate, however, that eight-point deficit eventually would be the closest the Bulldogs get to taking the lead.
Republic held onto a double-digit favor for the duration of the game and headed into the break with a commanding 34-19 lead.
Following the intermission, the Tigers scored 12 points in each quarter, while the Bulldogs dropped eight in the third and had its best quarter offensively in the fourth with 18.
In the third, with under five left, a Molly Blades 3-pointer and Misora Nambara layup gave Republic the largest separation in the contest of 23, 44-21, and the Tigers victory was ultimately cemented.
Despite the Bulldogs high-scoring fourth, its early deficit was too much to overcome, and Republic ousted its foe 58-45, behind Nambara's (15) and Blades' (14) double-digit performances.Â
The victory advances Republic to the semifinals and sets up a conference-rivalry showdown with the tournament host.
Notre Dame drops to the left side of the bracket and faces Francis Howell Central.
Box Score:
Republic 20 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 58
Notre Dame CG 10 | 9 | 8 | 18 | 45
Leading Scorers:
Republic, Misora Nambara (Sr.), 15
Republic, Molly Blades (Sr.), 14
Notre Dame CG, Skylar Craft, (Jr.), 11
Republic, Alex Price (Sr.), 8
Republic, Alaina Norman (Sr.), 8
Republic, Molly Mason (Sr.), 8
Game 3
Marshfield 64, California 63 - Jan. 18, 2024
By: Ryne Swanson, Student Intern
The third game of the GNIT witnessed two evenly-matched teams going head-to-head all the way until the final horn, as the California Pintos and Marshfield Blue Jays competed for a spot on the right side of the bracket.
California entered 9-5 and Marshfield at 11-3, with both teams coming into the tournament on a four-game winning streak.
Both offenses would light up the scoreboard in the first quarter and unintentionally modeled the same game plans early. The Pintos and Blue Jays attacked the inside, and 26 of the combined 35 points from the opening period were in the interior of the arc.Â
California's Ella Bailey stole the show in the first, scoring 10 of her game-high 25 in the frame and helping the Pintos jump out to a 19-16 lead after one.
Then, it was Marshfield's freshman Peyton Ward who put on an offensive clinic in the second, and alone almost outscored the Pintos. Ward scored nine of Marshfield's 16 points in the period, while the Blue Jays defense only allowed 10 on the counter side.
Abby McBride put Marshfield up 32-29 at the break with a drive and finish layup right before the half-time buzzer.
In what was a mirror opposite quarter on the scorecard, the Pintos were able to take charge out of the half, due in large part to its senior forward putting on another show. Bailey scored nine points, including corralling an offensive rebound and putback to beat the buzzer, evening the contest at 44-44 heading into the final period.
Bailey gave California a brief lead when she posted up her defender and laid it off the glass for the fourth's opening points.Â
The game would eventually go down the wire as it was Marshfield's McBride and California's Tayte Higgins' efforts to keep their teams alive for the final eight minutes. McBride dropped eight in the quarter, while Higgins almost matched her with seven.
It was a two-possession game for the majority of the fourth, and at the midway point, McBride's putback off the glass shrank Marshfield's deficit to 53-51. Then, on the Blue Jays ensuing possession, McBride found a wide-open Ward at the top of the arc, who swished in the deep ball and regained the lead for the home team on the scoreboard.
From there, Marshfield would never trail and sealed the victory from the charity stripe. A Lauren Luebbert freebie made it 64-60.Â
That made free throw resulted in a critical, game-deciding point.
With 3.5 remaining on the clock, Higgins put up a desperation shot from beyond halfcourt and heroically made it while appearing to be fouled in the attempt, but no whistle was blown by the referees, and Marshfield would survive with a 64-63 win.
The Blue Jays advance to play in the second semifinal matchup vs. the winner of Fair Grove and Helias Catholic, while the Pintos await the loser.
Box Score:
Marshfield 16 | 16 | 12 | 20 | 64
California 19 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 63
Leading Scorers:
California, Ella Bailey (Sr.), 25
Marshfield, Peyton Ward (Fr.), 21
Marshfield, Abby McBride (Sr.), 18
California, Kierstyn Lawson (Jr.), 13
Marshfield, Lauren Luebbert (Sr.), 11
California, Tayte Higgins (Jr.), 11
Game 4
Fair Grove 54, Helias Catholic 43 - Jan. 18, 2024
By: Alex Stein, Nixa Public Schools
The final game of day one featured two teams competing in its first-ever GNIT.Â
The No. 2-ranked team in its respective class and the 2023 defending Class 3 state champions, led by current Nixa head coach Jennifer Talbert, Fair Grove Eagles faced the No. 10-ranked team in Class 5, the Helias Crusaders.
A hot start versus a poor finish was the deciding element in this top-10-ranked contest.
Fair Grove erupted for 23 points in the opening quarter from five different Eagles and took a 23-12 advantage at the conclusion of the first.
In the second, Helias responded in a big way and was slowly creeping back into the game, as the Crusaders outscored the Eagles 15-9 in the quarter. Adalyn Koelling's 3-pointer made it a one-point game, 28-27, with under a minute remaining, however, Fair Grove went on a 4-0 run to end the half and led 32-27 at the break.
The third quarter was won by the Crusaders again. Another Koelling deep ball cut it a one-point game with a little under four minutes left, favoring the Eagles 39-38.Â
Helias eventually tied the game late in the third as Abby Versules hauled in an offensive rebound, made the putback, and was fouled in the process. Versules converted the and-one attempt, evening the game at 40 all.
Then, a freebie from Claire Morris gave the Crusaders an advantage again for the first time since early in the opening quarter, 41-40.
However, it did not last long, and both teams were even at 43-43 going into the game's final eight minutes.Â
Fair Grove enacted its full-court defense and flustered Helias, and the Crusader miscues were aplenty in the fourth.
An incredible defense effort by the Eagles resulted in a goose egg on the scoreboard for the Crusaders, shutting Helias and outscoring the competition 11-0 en route to the 54-43 victory.
Fair Grove meets Marshfield on the right side of the bracket, and Helias faces California on the left in its respective semifinal matchups.
Box Score:
Fair Grove 23 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 54
Helias Catholic 12 | 15 | 16 | 0 | 43
Leading Scorers:
Helias Catholic, Adalyn Koelling (Sr.), 19
Fair Grove, Ashton Bell (Jr.), 16
Fair Grove, Brooke Daniels (Jr.), 11
Fair Grove, Abbey Green (Jr.), 10
Helias Catholic, Ava Morris (Sr.), 7
Day 2
Game 1
Cape Notre Dame 51, Francis Howell Central 33 - Jan. 19, 2024
By: Alex Stein, Nixa Public Schools
The Cape Notre Dame Bulldogs faced the Francis Howell Central Spartans in the first game of the semifinal rounds of the 2024 GNIT.Â
A low-scoring and defensive contest saw the Bulldogs carry a lead from the opening quarter to the final horn. Notre Dame lead by single digits for the majority of the first half and extended it to 10 with under two minutes remaining in the first half, as Olivia Wagner corralled a Spartans missed shot and went coast-to-coast and scored the floater inside the paint, making the game 22-12.
The Spartans answered on their next possession with a 3-pointer by Joise Crangle, but, it was the Bulldogs with the last field goal before the break.
Notre Dame carried nine-point halftime advantage, 24-15.
It was all the Bulldogs in the second half.Â
Brie Rubel swished in a deep ball from the top of the arc, coming off an assist from her sister, Kate, for the half's opening points, and Notre Dame went back up double-digits. The Bulldogs held a double-digit advantage for the majority of the third, and extended the lead to as large as 20 midway in the frame.
The Spartans sparked a late-quarter surge and a Crangle mid-ranger buzzer-beater brought the game back to single-digits, 35-27.Â
The fourth was the game-deciding quarter, which the Bulldogs dominated. Notre Dame outscored Francis Howell Central 16-6 in the period, due in large part to its suffocating full-court defense.Â
The Bulldogs did not allow a basket until roughly two minutes into the quarter and that two-minute opposition trend proceeded, while Notre Dame capitlized turnovers into points. The Spartans next scored around the four-minute marked and tallied its final points with roughly two minutes left.
Notre Dame melted the clock with long possessions in the final stages and eventually defeated the Spartans 51-33, advancing to the consolation championship game vs. the winner of California and Helias Catholic.
Box Score:
Notre Dame CGÂ 13 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 51
Francis Howell Central 8 | 7 | 12 | 6 | 33
Leading Scorers:
Notre Dame CG, Neveah Lucious (So.), 14
Notre Dame CG, Kate Rubel (So.), 9
Notre Dame CG, Eliza Barnette, (Jr.), 9
FHC, Riley Henderson (Jr.), 9
FHC, Morgan Davis, (Jr.), 9
Game 2
Helias Catholic 77, California 45 - Jan. 19, 2024
By: Ryne Swanson, Student Intern
In the final game on the consolation side of the GNIT bracket, the California Pinots faced the Helias Catholic Crusaders, seeking to rebound following first-round defeats.
The first quarter favored the Pintos 9-4 early on, but following a pair free throws from Kenadi Harrison the gave Helias the 10-9 lead, the Crusaders began to shift momentum and take control.
Late in the opening frame, a 3-pointer by Adalyn Koelling capped off 10-consecutive Crusader points and gave Helias its first double-digit lead of 20-9, and eventually would end the first leading by 11, 24-13.
It was the Crusaders Koelling and Claire Galbraith show in the second quarter, which ultimately sealed the victory for Helias. Koelling and Galbraith combined for 16 of the team's 22 points in the period, as both scored a pair of triples and a deuce.Â
With under three minutes left in the second, Helias would force a California turnover and Galbraith was left wide open in transition, and she sank a wing 3-pointer to put the Crusaders up 20 for the first time, 41-19.
Alone, the Crusaders dynamic duo outscored the Pintos 16-10 in the second, and sent Helias into the break with a 23-point lead.
With a commanding 46-23 lead out of the intermission, Helias would be on cruise control and win both quarters in the second half 18-16 and 13-6, en route to 77-45 victory and berth in the consolation championship vs. Cape Notre.
Although the scoreboard did not favor her side much, the Pintos Kierstyn Lawson kept California battling, as the junior guard dropped a team-high 16, including a trio of 3-pointers.
Box Score:
Helias Catholic 24 | 22 | 18 | 13 | 77
California 13 | 10 | 16 | 6 | 45
Leading Scorers:
Helias Catholic, Claire Galbraith (Sr.), 22
Helias Catholic, Adalyn Koelling (Sr.), 18
California, Kierstyn Lawson (Jr.), 16
Helias Catholic, Kenadi Harrison (Jr.), 13
Helias Catholic, Claire Morris (So.), 13
Game 3
Republic 55, Nixa 53 - Jan. 19, 2024
By: Aiden Hopkins, Student Intern
In the first GNIT championship semifinal, the Nixa Eagles suffered a tough setback to COC-foe Republic 55-53.
The heartbreaking defeat did not come without a fight, though, as the Eagles kept the game within single-digits, despite trailing. Junior Brooke Teter led the way for Nixa with 16 points, but ultimately, senior guard Misora Nambara led Republic to victory with 21 points, including two big crunch-time free throws.Â
The game was tightly-contested throughout and consisted of nine lead changes. The Tigers largest lead was five, and the Eagles greatest advantage was seven.
The game started with a quick 3-pointer from Republic's Nambara, which was then answered by Nixa's Taylor Wood putback layup. That scenario would play out for the duration of the first, as Republic and Nixa matched basket-for-basket. It was Republic, though, who had the last advantage after the first-period buzzer. A pair of Nambara free throws gave the Tigers a 13-12 lead heading into the second.
The second quarter began with a Tigers layup, and the Eagles responded with a game-tying 3-pointer from Wood.Â
Similar to the opening quarter, the second was another battle of lead changes.Â
This time, Nixa had the one-point advantage after the quarter's final horn. With the game tied at 24-24 and under two minutes remaing, the Eagles patient ball movment led to a wide-open Karis Ferguson who drained a wing deep ball and put Nixa up three.
Nambara closed the first-half scoring with a drive and finish layup inside.
Nixa led 27-26 at the intermission.
As the second half began, both teams battled for the lead, keeping the contest a one-possesion game until late in the third when momentum was appearing to shift in the tournament-host's side.
The Eagles went on a 6-0 run, ended by a clutch 3-pointer by Ferguson, placing the Eagles up 41-35.
But, two Nambara free throws before the buzzer cut the lead to four heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter was yet another battle and the Eagles took charge early with the first blows. Wood swished home a 3-pointer and few possessions later sank a freebie to extend Nixa's lead to the largest of the game, seven, 49-42 with 5:40 remaining.
Then, it was Republic's turn. The Tigers halted Nixa's offense for over two minutes, while Molly Blades and Nambara answered with 3-pointers and an Alex Price floater regained the Tigers lead with 3:18 left, 50-49.
The advantage did not last long, though, as Nixa's Lilly Mahy made a trey on the Eagles next possession to mark another lead change.
Blades tied the game with a little over two minutes remaining and then Nambara sealed the victory at the charity stripe.
With the 36.5 left, Nambara was fouled on a layup attempt as she was driving to the lane and made both, giving Republic the 54-53 lead.Â
The Tigers defense came up clutch in the final 30 seconds and locked down the Eagles. However, Nixa did have a high-percentage shot off an inbounds play with five seconds remaining that hit the back of the rim into a Republic player's hands who was intentionally fouled.
The Tigers made one of its free throws, and allowed Nixa one last opportunity with a half-court heave, but the attempt fell just short, and Republic escaped with the 55-53 victory.
Republic advances to the championship game where the Tigers await the winner of Marshfield and Fair Grove. Nixa drops to the third place game vs. the loser.
Box Score:
Republic 13 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 55
Nixa 12 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 53
Leading Scorers:
Republic, Misora Nambara (Sr.), 21
Republic, Molly Blades (Sr.), 17
Nixa, Brooke Teter (Jr.), 16
Nixa, Lilly Mahy (Sr.), 10
Nixa, Taylor Wood (So.), 10
Game 4
Marshfield 56, Fair Grove 49 - Jan. 19, 2024
By: Brady Retone, Student Intern
Two two-state-ranked opponents battled until the final buzzer as the Class 5 No. 6 Marshfield Blue Jays faced the Class 3 No. 2 Fair Grove Eagles to close out day two of the GNIT.
Prior to the start of this contest, Fair Grove's head coach Gary Greene was honored for his 400th career win.
But, when the clock struck 0:00, it was the Blue Jays prevailing 56-49 to earn a date with Republic in the championship, despite a late-game push from the Fair Grove Eagles.Â
In the first half, the Blue Jays looked like the most dominant team in the tournament. Marshfield received 10 first-half points from Abby McBride, alongside a very-stout defensive effort that only allowed five second-quarter points.
McBride and Ward scored six each in the second period for 12 of Marshfield's 17 points, propelling the Blue Jays to a 14-point lead going into the half, 32-18.
Out of the break, Marshfield quickly extended the lead to 19 with baskets from McBride, Lauren Leubbert, and Quinn Alridge, putting the Blue Jays up 38-19 two minutes into the third.
Then, with under three minutes remaining, the game began to shift.Â
Fair Grove's Ashton Bell drove to the basket, spun past her defender, and made the layup, drawing a foul in the process. Bell converted the and-one attempt, cutting the Eagles deficit to 43-31.Â
It was all Fair Grove after that in the third, as the Eagles defense kept Marshfield off the scoreboard during the final three minutes. Abbey Green made a pair of free throws for the third's final points, bringing the game within 10 and all the momentum with the Eagles.
After an exchange of baskets to begin the fourth, Fair Grove's Allison Findley brought the game within single digits following a big layup, and it was 45-37, Marshfield.
Midway through the fourth, Alridge dealt a dagger to the Eagles when she cut backdoor, received a perfect pass from Ward, and converted the layup with a defender in her face, putting Marshfield back up double digits, 49-38.
The Eagles defense kept battling, though, causing a two-minute scoreless drought for the Blue Jays and going on a 6-0 run on the opposite end.   Â
Fair Grove brought the game within two possessions, as Cam Hart swished in a corner 3-pointer off an inbounds pass, and the deficit was 51-47 with 1:19 left.
But, when it mattered most, the Blue Jays defense stepped up and halted the Eagles on their potential two-game-tying possessions while sinking five free throws offensively.Â
Fair Grove did manage to score a jumper from the charity stripe with under 10 seconds left, but it was too late to late, and Marshfield survived the Eagles comeback attempt.Â
Marshfield's victory advances the Blue Jays to the title tilt vs. Republic.
Fair Grove drops to the third-place game vs. Nixa.
Box Score:
Marshfield 15 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 56
Fair Grove 13 | 5 | 15 | 16 | 49
Leading Scorers:
Marshfield, Abby McBride (Sr.), 18
Fair Grove, Ashton Bell (Jr.), 14
Marshfield, Quinn Aldridge (So.), 11
Fair Grove, Abbey Green (Jr.), 11
Fair Grove, Cam Hart (Jr.), 10
Day 3
Game 1Â - 7th Place
California 51, Francis Howell Central 34 - Jan. 20, 2024
By: Alex Stein, Nixa Public Schools
California and Francis Howell Central (FHC) kicked off the final day of the 2024 GNIT in the seventh place game, with both teams seekings its first win its debut appearance in the Nixa Invitational.
After a slow start, the Pintos used a dominating second and fourth quarter to prevail 51-34 over the Spartans. California outscored FHC 30-8 alone in those even number periods.
The Spartans led 15-12 after the first quarter. Then, it was all the Pintos. With under three minutes remaining in the first half, California's Ella Bailey gave her team a 22-19 lead after converting a 3-point play.
From that point, the Pintos would never trail again and went into the break with a seven-point advantage, 30-23.
Bailey eventually scored 10 of her game-high 20 points in the second quarter, totaling more than the Spartans as a team.
The Spartans won the third 11-8 with six points from Riley Henderson, but was in a five-point hole going into the final frame.
Down two possessions and starting with the ball to begin the fourth, the task did not seem large to overcome for the Spartans. But, the Pintos had other ideas.
California forced two Spartan turnovers on the opposition's opening drives, and that eventullay was a domino effect for the duration of the quarter. The Pintos kept FHC in check for eight minutes and dealt the Spartans a fourth-quarter shutout.Â
Kierstyn Lawson scored two of her six points in the fourth with a layup that put the Pintos up double digits, 45-34, with 3:37 left in the game. Long possessions and ball movement to melt the clock began next for California, and the Pintos were able to comfortably enjoy the final three minutes in victory celebration. Penelope Cotton capped off the 51-34 triumph with an easy layup for the game's final points.
Bailey's 20-point performance was her second 20-plus outburst of the tournament, as she totaled 47 in three games (15.7 PPG), finishing as the fifth-top scorer of the GNIT.
Proceeding the game, Francis Howell Central was awarded the Greg Denzil Morris Sportsmanship Award, which is a special recognition to honor one team that exhibits excellent sportsmanship throughout the NIT.
Box Score:
California 12 | 18 | 9 | 12 | 51
Francis Howell Central 15 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 34
Leading Scorers:
California, Ella Davis (Sr.), 20
FHC, Morgan Davis, (Jr.), 17
California, Hailey Rademan (Jr.), 11
FHC, Riley Henderson (Jr.), 7
California, Isabella Rohrbach (Sr.), 7
Game 2Â - Consolation Championship
Cape Notre Dame 62, Helias Catholic 58 - Jan. 20, 2024
By: Alex Stein, Nixa Public Schools
Following dominating double-digit victories the previous night, the Cape Notre Dame Bulldogs and the Helias Catholic Crusaders clashed for the consolation championship.
In a star-studded and back-and-forth matchup, it was the Crusaders first jumping to a double-digit lead. But the Bulldogs had the last hand and squeaked past Helias 62-58 to capture fifth place.
The Crusaders starting five all tallied points in the opening quarter, including a combined 14 points from its stars Claire Galbraith (8) and Adalyn Koelling (6), quickly propelling Helias to a 24-9 lead after one. Galbraith and Koelling would go on to post double-figures offensively with 18 and 17, respectively.
In the second quarter, it was Notre Dame's suffocating defense and young stars answering the call. Sophomore Brie Rubel alone outscored Helias with her 13 points, and fellow sophomore teammates Neveah Lucious and Brie's sister, Kate, began to heat up offensively and portrayed what eventually would be indicative of things later to come.
At the break, Helias carried a slim one-possession advantage, 34-32.
Notre Dame took its first lead of the game early in the third quarter with a putback layup from Eliza Barnette, putting the Bulldogs up 37-36. Neither team could gain momentum, as both teams traded blows on the scoreboard despite eight points from Lucious in the quarter.
A pair of Brie Rubel freebies sent the Bulldogs into the fourth quarter leading 49-47.
On the opening possession in the fourth, Koelling drained a wing 3-pointer in front of her bench, which eventually sparked a 7-0 run for the Crusaders, while the Bulldogs were in a three-minute scoring drought.
Lucious finally got Notre Dame on the board with 4:35 left, posting up her defender and rolling it in off the glass, shrinking the Bulldogs deficit to 54-51.
Almost a minute later, the contest shifted towards Notre Dame's favor. Mia Panton intercepted a Crusades inbounds pass and found Brie Rubel racing down court, and Panton dished off to Brie for the easy two. And the Bulldogs were ahead 55-54.
Notre Dame would remain in charge by one possession for the duration of the game, and near the ending stages with the 59-58 lead, the Bulldogs drained 30 seconds off the clock, forcing the Crusaders to intentionally foul.
Kate Rubel eventually cemented the 62-58 victory with four free throws in clutch time.
Galbraith had a great opportunity to tie the game with 10 seconds left on a high-percentage 3-pointer from the top of the arc but hit the rim wide right, and the Bulldogs escaped with the four-point victory and the consolation trophy.Â
Box Score:
Notre Dame CG 9 | 23 | 17 | 13 | 62
Helias Catholic 24 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 58
Leading Scorers:
Notre Dame CG, Brie Rubel (So.), 21
Helias Catholic, Claire Galbraith (Sr.), 18
Helias Catholic, Adalyn Koelling (Sr.), 17
Notre Dame CG, Nevaeh Lucious (So.), 16
Notre Dame CG, Kate Rubel (So.), 14
Game 3Â - 3rd Place
Fair Grove 66, Nixa 62 (OT) - Jan. 20, 2024
By: Alex Stein, Nixa Public Schools
The third place contest featured a battle of the Eagles, as Nixa and Fair Grove clashed in arguably the most exciting and best game of the tournament.
In an overtime thriller, it was Fair Grove triumphing over Nixa 66-64.
Regulation witnessed a flurry of lead changes, and neither team could grasp complete control.
Fair Grove's Hannah Maxwell gave her squad a 13-12 advantage after the first with a layup off the block late in the period.
It was a defensive, one-possession battle for the majority of the second. Fair Grove extended its lead to four twice late in the period, but Nixa had an answer each time. Lilly Mahy tied the game at 22 with under two minutes left in the half, coming off a 3-pointer from the wing.
Fair Grove led at the intermission 26-24 and extended it to six, 36-30, with under four minutes left. Nixa responded with a big deep ball from Kennedy Nash.
A mid-range jumper from Fair Grove's Ashton Bell for the quarter's last points made it a two-possession game, 41-36.
Nixa had its strongest quarter on both side of the ball in the fourth. The tournament host trailed by five, and were even down seven at one point, for the first three minutes of quarter. Then, the Nixa defense started to change the game.
Two turnovers allowed Nixa to tie the game midway through the fourth, and Karis Ferguson converted an and-one attempt to give the home team on the scoreboard the 50-49 advantage.
Nearly two minutes of stalemate basketball followed next, until Bell put her team back in charge after a 3-point play.
With a minute left to play in regulation and Fair Grove leading 54-51 following a pair of freebies from Brooke Daniels, it was Nixa's turn for a the 3-point play. Taylor Wood got her isolation and screen, drove to basket, made the under-hand layup, and was fouled. Wood knocked down the free throw and it was even at 54.
Defenses came up clutch on the opposition's possessions in the final 50 seconds, as both teams clogged the lane and were able to halt a layup by the foe.
Fair Grove had an opportunity to win the game in regulation from the charity stripe with five seconds left but was unsuccessful.
And, another four minutes were imputed on the scoreboard.
Fair Grove quickly went on a 6-2 run to begin overtime and were up 60-56 with two minutes left.
Wood brought the game within two, but then Fair Grove melted nearly a minute off the clock and the long possession was capped off with a Bell layup swarmed by a plethora of Nixa defenders.Â
The visiting Eagles eventually iced the game at the free-throw line and survived with the 66-62 victory.
Despite being on the opposite end of the scoreboard, Wood had a career-high day. The sophomore guard poured in a tournament-high 29 points, concluding the GNIT with 49 (16.3 PPG) total, and ended as the fourth-best scorer in a three-game span.
Bell tallied 26 points in Fair Grove's victory and earned the GNIT scoring title, finishing the tournament with 56 points (18.7 PPG).
Box Score:
Fair Grove 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 66
Nixa 12 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 8 | 64
Leading Scorers:
Nixa, Taylor Wood (So.), 29
Fair Grove, Ashton Bell (Jr.), 26
Fair Grove, Abbey Green (Jr.) 16
Fair Grove, Brooke Daniels (Jr.), 12
Nixa, Addy Ruffin (Jr.), 9
Game Four -Â Championship
Republic 60, Marshfield 55 - Jan. 20, 2024
By: Brady Retone, Student Intern
Republic and Marshfield faced off for the 2024 GNIT title.
For Republic, it was the Tigers fourth title game in six years, yet to claim the trophy. In two of those title appearances, Republic ran into the dynasty of West Plains, who won three consecutive GNIT titles from 2020-2022. The Tigers fell to Nixa in the other appearance.
2024 was Republic's time. After grinding out a semifinal victory vs. Nixa, the Tigers used a 22-point third quarter to defeat the Blue Jays 60-55, but not without a fight.
On the other hand, Marshfield is debuting in its first GNIT and reaching the title game after two hard-fought opening-round victories.
Republic jumped out early in the first period and had a five-point lead until Marshfield's Lauren Luebbret and Quinn Aldridge both sank 3-pointers, putting the Blue Jays up 7-5.
It would be a low-scoring affair in the first that saw Republic carry a slim lead of 13-10.
In the second, both teams clicked from beyond the arc, combining for a quartet of 3-pointers, with the biggest coming from Republic's Lauren Chastain with 1:30 on the clock, which evened the score at 24 all.
After a back-and-forth quarter and six lead changes, the title tilt was tied at 26-26.
To start the third quarter, the Tigers once again quickly got out to a five-point lead by forcing two Marshfield turnovers. Then, Republic commanded the frame and exploded for another 17 points in the period.
The Tigers went on a 14-4 run throughout the third, sparked by the play of Lanney Strong. Strong converted an and-one play and, a few possessions later, sank a clutch 3-pointer, while fellow teammate Lauren Chastain helped with an additional pair of deep balls.Â
Republic's dominating period sent the Tigers into the final quarter with a 14-point lead, 48-34.
Marshfield would battle, though, and when the game seemed to be secured, the Blue Jays would say otherwise.
After two minutes of stalemate to begin the fourth, Marshfield's Tilly Greenfield made a pair of free throws with 5:41 left to break the drought.
Republic continued to hold onto its double-digit advantage, and with four minutes left, the Tigers led 50-37.
Then, Marshfield's Lauren Leubbert was fouled on a 3-point attempt, making two of three, and Leubbert put the Blue Jays on her back in an attempt to overcome a 14-point hole, 53-39, with 2:41 left.
A trio of Luebbert 3-pointers, a pair of free throws from Luebbert's teammates, and big turnovers caused by the Blue Jays defense quickly became a 53-52 game.
Republic would regroup out of a timeout at the 1:30 mark, and Misora Nambara would ultimately seal the championship for the Tigers at the charity stripe. Nambara went five for six in the final minute from the free-throw line, putting the game out of reach for Marshfield, and Republic would win 60-55 and finally capture its first Nixa Invitational title in appearance four.
Nambara concluded a great tournament performance with her third consecutive double-figure outing, leading Republic with 16 points. She accumulated 52 points in a three-game stretch, averaging 17.3 PPG and finishing as the tournament's third-best scorer.Â
Luebbert's valiant effort saw her finish with a game-high 23.
Box Score:
Republic 13 | 13 | 22 | 12 | 60
Marshfield 10 | 16 | 8 | 21 | 55
Leading Scorers:
Marshfield, Lauren Leubbert (Sr.), 23
Republic, Misora Nambara (Sr.), 16
Republic, Lauren Chastain (Sr.), 16
Marshfield, Quinn Alridge (So.), 14
Republic, Lanney Strong (Jr.), 12
Â
