Brashear Girls Win Season Closing Game with Novinger

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By David Sharp

Brashear attacked the basket and turned in one of their better overall performances of their 2021-22 varsity girl’s season during a 70-44 win over Novinger. The March 2, 2022 contest was originally scheduled to be the last regular season conference contests for both teams at Novinger.

The games were rescheduled and played after both teams were eliminated from district and beyond consideration. Both schools looked at the games as one more chance for their Seniors to play basketball.

The other purpose was the standings for Tri-County Conference All Sports contest.

The games were held at Brashear. Senior from both Adair County rivals were honored. Brashear senior Kynleigh White played her final basketball game for the Lady Tigers. Novinger did not have girls’ basketball seniors this season.

Brashear (11-17) led by an 8-7 margin after a hard fought first quarter. The Lady Tiger offense came to life during a 22-13 second quarter burst to a 30-20 halftime score. Lana Vansickle and Kynleigh White took advantage of Lady Wildcat turnovers. Paige Stutsman put the ball in the hole for a 26-13 Brashear lead with 2:31 remaining in the first half.

“It took us awhile to learn to play together, Lady Tiger coach Emily Powell said. “When we had that many freshmen that had the opportunity to play, We told the girls that when you have the same level of confidence in yourselves as we have in you, you will do good things.”

“Beating Atlanta in our tournament was a huge confidence booster for us. And then having the opportunity to do it again in districts The way they played against Marion County to finish. We gave them every bit that they could handle for  three and a half quarters,” Coach Powell said.

Paige Stutsman dropped two free throws with no time on the clock for the ten point halftime lead. Novinger (6-18) fought back in the early stages of the third quarter. Abby Fountain sank a free throw for a 35-27 deficit with 4:34 remaining in the third quarter.

Brashear closed the third quarter on a 15-4 run to a 50-31 advantage. Kynleigh White sank a three ball with 1:12 remaining in the third period.

Jordyn Almond tossed in a Novinger home run ball with six minutes remaining in the season for both teams. Kynleigh White answered for Brashear a minute later. Brashear held a 55-36 lead.

Brashear ended their season with some of the best basketball the Lady Tigers played this season.  The Lady Tigers ran the court, took the ball away on defense and scored. “We did a lot of things other teams have not been able to do this season,” Emily Powell said. “Each kid built self confidence that they are capable to do it against those teams”

“It isn’t just a coach telling them. They see they really can do this. I think when you see the fruits of your labors, your confidence just grows. Hopefully we can build on that teamwork that we have really grown into this year.”

“Being strong with the ball and being confident, which leads to taking better care of the basketball,” Powell said.

Senior Kynleigh White came off the Brashear court for the final time to the tune of a thunderous ovation from fans of both teams.

Novinger junior Abby Fountain led all scorers with 27 points. Jenna Farris was in double figures for the Lady Wildcats with 11 points. Brashear held a 24-15 advantage in made field goals. The Lady Tigers sank three home run balls and Novinger two. Brashear was 13-18 at the free throw line, good for 72%.

Novinger was 8-23 from the charity stripe, a 35% night. “We have got a pretty unique group of girls,” Brashear coach Emily Powell said. “This is a strange situation to have this game after districts. After the Sectional has been played.”

“I told the girls that they had a chance to do what only a couple of teams normally do, that is finish your season with a win,” Emily Powell said. “We knew what Novinger had coming in. Nobody has got anything to lose.”

“We have got a lot going into next year. We talked about that for our freshmen and sophomores while not overlooking our senior,” Coach Powell said. “They played for their Senior. The way they shared the ball in transition. The way they played defense together. Trying to slow down Abby (Fountain) in the middle.”

“They knew that it was going to take a group effort. It was fun to get to play one more time. To coach this group one more time,” Emily Powell said. “Coach (Chelsea) Clark and I just love the opportunity. For what these girls do through the avenue of basketball.”

“These young women buy into that. Their responded well to what our big picture goal is for them,” Emily Powell said. “I think Kynleigh (White) going to college and chasing the dream as a young adult is what it is all about.”

“She gets to use basketball tonight and have fun out there. The girls doing that. It just means a lot. It springboards us into the future.”

Lacey Fisher, Paige Stutsman and Kynleigh White led Brashear with 18 points each. Aubrey Borgmeyer scored five Tiger points. Lana Vansickle put in four points. Alexa Borgmeyer tossed in three points. Bevyn March and Tayla Garlock added two points each.

“I actually saw her play when Coach (Chelsea) Clark was coaching her in fifth and sixth grade,” Emily Powell said of Senior Kynleigh White. “To watch the growth, she has had as a basketball player. She has had a lot of transitions from her sophomore year to seeing Averi Acton and Emily Mason get hurt and we lose them for the season.”

“Her role completely changed. She had to step up. She learned that confidence that I can do this,” Coach Powell said. “Last year stepping into a role of having to work with Hannah Grissom and Callie Althide then this year being the only senior and being the only upperclassman.”

“That is hard for a high school kid. I challenged her to be the kind of Senior that you wanted as a freshman,” Coach Powell said. “What you admired. The on the court takes care of itself if you focus on the things you have control of.”

“She does a good job with attitude and effort. I think the epitome of her is that she didn’t give up on herself,” Brashear coach Emily Powell said talking about Kynleigh White.

“It would have been easy for her not to step up. The connection she has made with some of those younger kids that she has made in the last six weeks and really bought into being that leader that she wants to be remembered for, you can see in the way our girls have played together and how hard they played tonight,” Emily Powell said.

“We are going to miss her. Coach Clark and I are watching her maturation not even related to the game of basketball,” Emily Powell said. “Those are the things that keep you coming back to teaching and coaching.”

“We have a lot of memories with her that we will cherish. We are thankful for what she has done. We are thankful for who (Kynleigh White) has allowed herself to be.”

“I think it is really cool that we got to reschedule our game,” Kynleigh White said. “Especially after districts got snowed out. Me and Brandon (Jochimsen) feel really special in that we can have this day to ourselves.”

“We are really appreciative that. The entire community and Novinger for rescheduling this game,” White said. “We trusted each other more as the season comes to an end. We just started looking for the open guy more. We were not being selfish. Just playing as a team.”

Kynleigh White told the Edina Sentinel she plans to attend Central Methodist College at Fayette after graduating as part of a Brashear High School seven person Class of 2022.

Kynleigh White said she plans to enter the medical field in nursing and possibly play softball. “Thank you to my teammates and everybody that supported me throughout the years.”