Nixa's season ended the way it began and played out much too often, with the Eagles adding to their season-long frustrations by failing to hold onto a lead while sputtering in the clutch.

Coach Jay Osborne completed his 30th season courtside Thursday. But he certainly hasn't grown immune to the pain of losses the like of Nixa's 48-45 setback to Kickapoo in the Class 5 District 11 championship game. 

The Eagles held a 45-40 lead with 2:15 to play but had no answer during the Chiefs' 8-0 surge to close things out.

"It's disappointing, heartbreaking," Osborne said.

Heartbreaking was theme of Nixa's 15-13 season. The Eagles dropped seven games by a total margin of 15 points. They were 2-7 in games decided by three points or less, including two losses to Kickapoo by a total five points.

Kickapoo (21-4) improved to 5-0 in games decided by three points or less.

Nixa seemed well on its way toward ending its disturbing trend. The Eagles not only held a five-point lead at the 2:15 mark of the fourth quarter, but had the benefit of five timeouts remaining to call upon, if needed.

But back-to-back turnovers in the final 1:40 capped Nixa's frustrations at the finish.

Kickapoo was applying defensive pressure during both giveaways, but Osborne felt the turnovers could have been avoided.

"We handed the ball over to them, that's unacceptable," Osborne said. "Our kids played really hard. We had the score where we wanted it. We're up 45-40. We put ourselves in position to succeed and win a District championship on someone else's home floor. But we didn't get it done. We let them right back in it.

"You've got to make plays late and quit handing them the ball. We can't fault any one person. If we get trapped, we need to have guys help him out." 

Osborne lamented the fact the Eagles didn't try to bail themselves out of trouble upon getting trapped by calling a timeout.

For the full story, click here.

NIXA (45) — Mason 15, Jones 8, Engelman 8, Gordon 4, Roemen 4, Long 4, Akers 2.

KICKAPOO (48) — Brookshire 20, Oetting 13, McIntire 5, Senn 4, Bridgers 4, Liggins 2.

Nixa         16   8  12   9 — 45

Kickapoo  12  11 12 13 — 48

For the O-Zone game highlights, photos, and recap, click here.