SPRINGFIELD — Nixa is back in the State finals for the fifth time in its program’s history and coach Jay Osborne noted Thursday the Eagles have done it the right way free of any controversy.
In the aftermath of Nixa’s 53-43 Class 6 semifinal triumph versus Staley, Osborne announced to the statewide media on hand that the Eagles bear no resemblance to the summer all-star team that decided to don Kickapoo uniforms last year.
Osborne actually never mentioned Kickapoo by name, but it was obvious who he was referencing.
“I’m going to spit it out there, one thing I’m most proud about of our basketball program is we have no transfers, no recruits and no move-ins,” Osborne said. “These guys were all here in elementary and junior high. They got to watch our players before them come through and how hard they played. We don’t have any outside help. It’s Nixa kids. That’s probably as satisfying as anything.
“We thought we had a state championship caliber team last year,” he added. “The team we lost to (at Sectionals) had a couple move-ins who were really good. Credit to them, they were better than us.”
All things considered, Osborne feels Nixa matching up with the Chiefs’ array of future NCAA D-I talent warrants the Chiefs an assist for the Eagles’ post-season run this time around.
“In hindsight, it probably prepared us for this moment,” he said. “It’s our time. It’s Nixa’s time.”
Nixa (28-3) made it clear Staley’s time will have to wait until next year. The Falcons’ collection of junior stars weren’t quite seasoned to keep pace with the Eagles.
Staley started the contest hoping to unsettle Nixa point guard Colin Ruffin with pressure as he brought the ball upcourt. The Falcons tried to amp things up defensively once Ruffin crossed half court.
“No one has picked us up full court (all season),” Ruffin said. “I was in shock for a little bit. Then again, we’re in the Final Four. Anything can happen. They were trapping super hard. But our ball rotation was good. We moved it really quick.”
With Staley’s defense extended, Nixa’s spacing offensively worked well enough for the Eagles to break to a 13-6 lead. Ruffin had a pair of 3-point goals and Kael Combs added a trey in the opening quarter.
By halftime, Ruffin had a trio of 3-pointers and Nixa had five assists while shooting 9-of-18 from the field.
As important as anything, the Eagles’ defense didn’t back away from Staley’s physical style in the paint. The Falcons shot 28 percent in the first half.
“We knew we had to hit them in the mouth first in the first quarter. We knew they were going to be super physical with us,” Combs said. “I think everybody on our team has the kind of demeanor that nobody is going to talk to us, that we’re going to hit them in the mouth first. We have adopted toughness and physicality over the years. Everybody is OK with getting in the weight room.
“We tried to play to that all week in practices, trying to beat up our posts and make them play more physical,” he added. “I told Jaret (Nelson) he would have to play as physical as he’s ever played.”
A couple years ago, Combs would have worried how Nixa would respond to a physical opponent with an imposing front line the likes of Staley’s forwards and posts.
“We might not have done so well,” Combs said. “They might have caused us to get more fouls than we had tonight and they might have scored inside more than they did. It might have been rough on us more than it was tonight.”
Most importantly, Nixa was able match Staley’s physicality without fouling. The Falcons were whistled for the first eight fouls of the game. The final foul count was Staley 28, Nixa 16, leading to the Eagles outscoring the Falcons 23-11 from the free-throw line.
Amazingly, Nixa won even while making just four field goals all of the second half.
Staley’s comeback bid saw the Falcons get as close as four points, 45-41, with 3:06 remaining.
Staley didn’t score again until only :07 were left.
“You can’t take everything away from an outstanding team like that,” Osborne said. “We bent and bent but didn’t break. They never got it to a one-possession game.”
Combs finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Ruffin had 18 points while going 9-of-10 at the foul line. Nelson contributed eight points and four boards.
Nixa advances to face Christian Brothers College in today’s title tilt at 4 p.m.
“I’m super stoked,” Combs said.
“It’s going to be sad because it’s our last game in high school, no matter what,” Ruffin said. “I definitely want to go out with a win.”
CBC is led by Larry Hughes Jr. His father is former NBA player Larry Hughes, who also starred as a prep at CBC and later in college at SLU.
“They’re athletic, quick, strong and well-coached,” Osborne said of CBC. “They’ve got the whole package. We’ve been watching them for a week now. We’ve got some things ready to go. “I expect a great effort. We’re proud to be here and excited to be playing for a championship.”
In addition to Nixa’s slew of seniors, today’s contest, of course, will be Osborne’s Eagles’ finale after 30 seasons.
“It’s a long journey and it’s been a pleasurable journey,” he said. “We’ll see how it ends. We’ll bring our best.”
NIXA (53) — Ruffin 3-5 9-10 18, Turner 1-7 0-0 2, Combs 6-10 6-9 19, Bell 0-1 3-4 3, Nelson 2-5 4-6 8, Engelman 0-0 1-2 1, Berry 1-1 0-1 2. Totals 13-29 23-32 53.
STALEY (43) — Evans 3-11 5-5 12, Parker 0-3 0-0 0, Fish 5-9 6-6 16, Bridges 1-4 0-0 3, Byrd 4-5 0-1 8, Donaldson 0-1 0-2 0, Manyawu 1-5 0-0 2, Lee 1-3 0-0 2, Wilson 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 15-43 11-14 43.
Nixa 13 15 12 13 - 53
Staley 6 10 16 11 - 43
3-point goals - Ruffin 3, Combs, Evans, Bridges.
