Nixa wins fifth straight Blue and Gold title
There's one question surrounding the Nixa Eagles' basketball program — can their guards handle the ball well enough?
Armed with a massive front line and a pair of prolific scorers, Nixa could have a great season in store if that question gets answered in the affirmative.
It took a step that way Tuesday night.
Saddled with the task of handling pressure from the ultra-athletic Strafford Indians, Nixa point guard Colin Chandler and mates answered the bell for a resounding 55-36 victory in the Blue Division finals of the Blue and Gold Tournament at JQH Arena.
"Colin played great," Nixa coach Jay Osborne said of his senior guard. "He played so well tonight and he got the ball in the right spots. He took it upon himself to get better today and that's what I'm proud of."
The right spot in the first half was down low to big man Chase Allen. The 6-foot-6 post was a workhorse in the first quarter against the smaller Indians and his output set the tone.
Allen scored 12 of his game-high 17 points in the first quarter, and when combined with a less-than-normal shooting performance by the Indians, Nixa was able to build a 23-8 lead.
"We took some quick shots, some that we can make sometimes, but we didn't make them tonight and kind of got back on our heels," Strafford coach Mike Wilson said. "If we had it to do over again, I don't know if we would have just fronted (Allen). We couldn't get there and couldn't get there. But you know, hindsight is 20/20."
Feeding Allen in the paint was clearly at the top of the game plan for the Eagles.
"Coach always focuses on us getting (Allen) the ball," Chandler said. "He's a scorer. Nobody can stop him in this area and he's one of the best post players in the state."
After the initial first quarter burst, Strafford made a few quick runs but Nixa was able to maintain a significant lead the rest of the night. Allen was quick to cite the guard play as well.
"We had really struggled with the (defensive) pressure and turnovers in the last couple of games, but I think prepared us for tonight," Allen said. "The more we see it, the better we're going to be against it. Our guards did a great job tonight."
The lone drama came down to whether Nixa's 6-foot-7 forward Jacob Ruder could match the tournament record of 19 3-pointers. Ruder made a pair — including a long bank shot at the third quarter buzzer — but fell one short on his way to 15 points. Ruder's accuracy from long range has coupled nicely with Allen and the duo were a scoring force throughout the tournament.
It was a night of firsts. Nixa won its fifth straight Blue and Gold title and has reached the championship game seven straight seasons. The Eagles also increased its tournament record winning streak to 20 games. It was also Strafford's first appearance in the title game in 52 years of participating.
"I think Nixa basketball has put an indelible footprint on this tournament," Nixa coach Jay Osborne said. "And it's not an ego thing, saying that. It's a pride thing.
"I give all the credit to our players. It's them."
The tournament also named the winner of the Logan Middleton Memorial Sportsmanship Award. The award honors an athlete that demonstrates goodwill and sportsmanship and is named after a former Nixa player that died the night for Thanksgiving in a vehicle accident.
The emotional postgame moment took on added significance when Strafford's Grant Boswell was named the inaugural winner.
"We were best friends after playing summer basketball together," an emotional Boswell said. "We hung out all summer and came to all of the Blue and Gold games together. It's such an honor."
Osborne was especially thankful to the tournament for giving the honor.
"I want to thank (tournament director) Kent Hedgepeth and the Blue and Gold tournament people for doing this," Osborne said. "(Middleton) was one of the best kids. The kind of kid you want your daughter to marry.
"He was that special."
69th Greenwood Blue and Gold
Blue
Dec. 30 scores
Skyline 59, Lebanon 51 consolation final
Mt. Vernon 64, Hartville 57 third place
7 p.m. Central 51, Conway 45 fifth place
7 p.m. Nixa 55, Strafford 36 championship final
Gold
Dec. 30 scores
Aurora 48, Fair Grove 39 consolation final
West Plains 65, Crane 52 third place
Glendale 72, Branson 50 fifth place
Ozark 59, Bolivar 54 championship final
2014 Pink and White Lady Classic
Pink
Dec. 30 championship semifinal scores
Skyline 53, Crane 50
Bullitt East 69, White Station 55
Dec. 30 consolation games
Aurora 63, Fair Grove 53 consolation semifinal
Ozark 46, Marshfield 44 consolation semifinal
West Plains 53, Branson 51 fifth place semifinal
Hillcrest 66, Carl Junction 46 fifth place semifinal
Dec. 31 Pink schedule
9:30 a.m. Aurora vs. Ozark consolation final, Weiser Gym
9:30 a.m. Crane vs. White Station third place, O'Reilly Family Event Center
12:30 p.m. West Plains vs. Hillcrest fifth place, Weiser Gym
12:30 p.m. Skyline vs. Bullitt East championship final, O'Reilly Family Event Center
White
Dec. 30 championship semifinals
Kickapoo 38, Republic 34 2OT
Ft. Smith Northside 57, Elgin 50
Dec. 30 consolation games, Weiser Gym
Catholic 63, Mt. Vernon 38 consolation semifinal
Strafford 60, Marionville 56 consolation semifinal
Stockton 75, Camdenton 57 consolation fifth place semifinal
Bolivar 68, Nixa 53 fifth place semifinal
Dec. 31 White schedule
11 a.m. Catholic vs. Strafford consolation final, Weiser Gym
11 a.m. Republic vs. Elgin third place, O'Reilly Family Event Center
2 p.m. Stockton vs. Bolivar fifth place, Weiser Gym
2 p.m. Kickapoo vs. Ft. Smith Northside, championship final, O'Reilly Family Event Center