Springfield News-Leader · Mar 5, 2022
Nixa boys find a way to send Kickapoo home while advancing to state quarterfinals
Special to the News-Leader
Time was ticking down with Kickapoo trailing by three.
Junior guards Zaide Lowery and Trae Oetting swung the ball around the perimeter to get the best look for the final shot of regulation, but the Nixa defense wasn't allowing any good looks at the basket.
After several passes and with time running out, Kickapoo hadn’t taken a shot yet. In desperation, junior guard Landon Keisker launched an off-balance 3 to try and tie the game, but it fell short and Nixa won 46-43 to claim the Class 6, District 5 title.
“It's just sad that someone had to lose tonight,” Nixa head coach Jay Osborne, who is coaching in his final season, said. “I’m just glad it wasn’t us.”