Fergen Takes Over; Lady Tigers Top Olathe East

After scoring just two points before halftime, senior Taylor Fergen took over, exploding for 22 points after the break to lead Republic to a 47-40 win over Olathe East at the Stephanie Phillips Classic at Kickapoo Thursday.

(See full video highlights here.)

Both teams struggled offensively for the first three quarters. Olathe East’s size posed problems for Republic offensively. The game was tied 16-16 at halftime, and Republic outscored Olathe East 7-2 in the 3rd quarter to take a 23-18 lead going into the final eight minutes.

Early in the 4th, it looked like Republic would take control. Allyson Barrett completed a three-point play to make it 26-18. Two steals and two layups by Fergen helped stretch the lead to 30-20, but Olathe East made three consecutive three-pointers to cut the lead to one. Olathe East eventually took the lead at 38-37, but that was the last time they would be on top.

Madi Beckham made two free throws to put the Lady Tigers back in front. Fergen followed that up with a jumpshot, and the Lady Tigers made their free throws down the stretch to pull away.

In addition to Fergen’s 24 points, Republic got nine points from Brylee Manes, seven from Barrett, four from Beckham, and three from Halli Bartelsmeyer.

“We knew size-wise it was going to be tough. The smallest kid they start is 5’6″,” says coach Kris Flood. “I knew it could be a little bit rough getting points in the paint.”

Republic made just three of 22 three-point attempts. Olathe East was 3-for-16 from beyond the arc. Despite being out-sized, the Lady Tigers held their own on the boards, with a 28-24 rebounding edge.

Fergen says Olathe East’s size disrupted the Lady Tigers’ offense in the first half.

“They were huge. It’s hard to go against that, since we’re not big at all,” Fergen says. “I think we came back the 2nd half… and figured stuff out at halftime. We realized we did not want to lose this game, so we really buckled down and started going.”

The Lady Tigers improve to 2-2. They play Aurora Friday night at Kickapoo.

Player of the Game

Three different times in the 2nd half, Taylor Fergen stole the ball and turned that turnover into points. She finished with a game-high 24 points, and she was the Player of the Game.

 

Our Lady Tiger Player of the Game honor is sponsored by the Tricia Phelps team at Coldwell Banker, eager to help you own your own home. Check out their website – TriciaPhelpsTeam.com – to find out more about how you can stop paying your landlord’s mortgage and become a homeowner yourself.

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