There is one hour before tip-off at JQH Arena, and the Lady Bears are stretching. The visitors this December afternoon — nationally ranked Gonzaga — are lofting practice shots on the opposite end of the floor. Near half court, a 5-year-old boy mimics the home team as they bounce through their pregame routine. He trails behind the rest, lifting his knees while the players have moved on to the next stretch.
The son of Missouri State coaches Kellie and Jon Harper gazes up and catches the eye of Danielle Gitzen in maroon warmups moving alongside him. The team’s leading scorer this season — preparing for her 67th appearance in the Lady Bears’ starting lineup — makes an exaggerated motion to demonstrate the right stretch.