Pat Dailey, for Headliner Sports

After seeing coach David Brewer ejected from the Ozark-Nixa jayvee game Monday, Anna Hitt and her Lady Tigers teammates wondered aloud if he would be courtside for the ensuing varsity contest.

"We sort of worried about it," Hitt said. "But then everyone was like, 'He'll be able to coach,' so we were fine."

Indeed, per Missouri State High Schools Activities Association rules, a coach or player who is ejected must sit out the next game at the level of play the ejection occurred. Thus, Brewer will not be allowed to coach Ozark's jayvee game at Neosho on Thursday.

After the ejection, Brewer tried to make the best of his sudden extra free time prior to the main event.

"I made some notes from things I saw in the jayvee game and was thinking about the half-court trap," he said. "That actually never came up. I also tried to get my mind re-ignited and calm down."

Brewer didn't have many more anxious moments as Ozark rolled to a 57-42 triumph that halted Nixa's winning streak at nine games.

Nothing like a 10-0 start by the underdogs on the road to allow them to establish themselves.

"That felt awesome," Lady Tigers guard Madi Braden said. "We came here thinking we needed to get out on them and we did. We were ready for them."

"I've been wrong about this before, but before the game I thought the girls seemed really engaged," Brewer said. "They came ready to play and focused and, of course, it was Nixa."

Ozark (12-5 overall and 3-0 in the COC) showed a new identity offensively. Rather than try to set up for 3-pointers, the Lady Tigers were all about the dribble-drive. During their exchange of the ball at the top of the key, they saw the opportunity to go 1-on-1 through the middle of Nixa's defense and repeatedly finished. 

Guard Anna Hitt, who is looking like the best 1-on-1 player in the COC not named Priscilla Williams, showed her teammates the way.

"Once they saw (the lane) was open, they knew they could drive, as well," Hitt said. "For me, I don't usually like to shoot the 3-pointer, anyway. I like to drive."

For the full story, click here.

For the O-zone recap and photos, click here.
 

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OZARK (57) — Mayes 5 0-0 10, Boggs 0 0-2 0, Hitt 7 3-8 17, Norton 0 0-2 0, Braden 4 4-4 13, Hanks 1 6-6 9, Scheer 2 2-4 6, Putt 0 2-4 2. Totals 19 17-30 57.

NIXA (42) — Nielsen 0 1-2 1, Copeland 0 1-2 1, Edwards 5 2-4 14, Yantis 0 6-6 6, Seiden 4 0-0 11, Sportsman 1 2-2 4, Thomason 2 2-4 6. Totals 12 13-18 42.

Ozark 21 6  6  24 - 57

Nixa   11 6 12 13 - 42

3-point goals — Seiden 3, Edwards 2, Braden, Hanks.