COLUMBIA, MO – On the underside of her left wrist, near the artery that pulsates her heartbeat, Incarnate Word senior Kaylynn Janes wrote the words: “Play for Rolfes.”
And with the outcome of the Class 6 championship game in doubt, Janes and her Red Knights’ teammates honored their hospitalized coach in the perfect way.
Janes converted a pair of layups after flawlessly-executed possessions and junior Peyton Hill drew the game-clinching charge as Incarnate Word defeated Kickapoo 53-43 to earn its seventh consecutive state title at the MSHSAA Show-Me-Showdown Saturday at Mizzou Arena.
The championship game was played with a heaviness throughout the arena in concern for Incarnate Word coach Dan Rolfes, who suffered a cardiac medical emergency Friday evening and was receiving care at University Hospital in Columbia.
“This one was different,” Incarnate Word senior Abbie Sextro said while fighting through tears. “It’s not the same without Rolfes. We didn’t know (the semifinal) was going to be our last game with him. It’s rewarding, but it’s not the same.”
Incarnate Word (31-0) jumped out to a 19-point first half lead, but Kickapoo chipped away throughout the contest. When senior Ariana Mosley found sophomore Natalie Coons for an open layup, the Lady Chiefs sliced the deficit to 47-37 with three minutes remaining.
“It was a little too close for comfort,” Sextro said.
Out of a timeout, Incarnate Word put together a signature possession that would have garnered a Rolfes’ smile and fist pump. The Red Knights moved the ball around the perimeter and found Sextro in the high post, who snapped a pass to Janes cutting to the basket for a layup.
“They like to trap out of their zone, so we had to get it to Abbie in the high post. We saw on film that they like to help off that backside – reversal, right down to KJ diving in,” said Incarnate Word assistant coach Tanner Wilkenson, who took over the head coaching duties for the championship game.
Kickapoo (29-2) tried to answer, but Incarnate Word junior Peyton Hill bravely slid over and drew a charge, prompting her teammates to race over to help Hill to her feet and congratulate her.
“We’re tough. That’s just what we are. And it’s everyone,” Wilkenson said.
The following offensive possession had Rolfes’ signature written all over it: off-ball player movement, crisp passing and no dribbling. When senior Zoe Best found Janes cutting to the rim, it opened a 51-37 lead with under two minutes remaining.
‘They work the ball around so well, you see it every day in practice,” Wilkenson said. “We can go multiple possessions without taking a dribble once we get over half court. It’s truly special.”
Incarnate Word began the game with resolve and inspiration. Sextro found Janes in transition to beat the first quarter buzzer and give the Red Knights a 12-5 lead after one. A three-ball by sophomore Peyton Olufson and a steal-and-score by junior Nevaeh Caffey boosted the lead to 12 points.
Even when Caffey left the floor with her third foul, Incarnate Word kept rolling. Janes and sophomore Addi Owen hit threes, and when Hill drove the lane for a plus-1, the Red Knights built a commanding 28-9 advantage.
Hill led Incarnate Word with 17 points and Janes added 16.
“We were more motivated than ever,” Janes said. “We have a lot to play for – each other, Coach (Rolfes), our whole program. It really got our energy going in the beginning.”
Kickapoo (29-2), led by 13-point performances by junior Mikayla Pilley and sophomore Josie Salazar, began to climb within striking distance. Pilley sank an acrobatic, flip shot in traffic, Salazar found room along the baseline, and when Mosley and Coons connected on their slick passing play, the Lady Chiefs sliced the lead to 57-47.
“This team doesn’t know how to quit. It’s not in their DNA. Every time they punched us in the mouth, we punched right back,” Kickapoo coach Leslie Hanchey said.
But it was the perfect execution of team offense and team defense – cornerstones of the Incarnate Word program – that propelled the Red Knights to their 131st consecutive victory, 46th consecutive playoff victory and 10th state title in the last 11 seasons.
“Being a senior and knowing that we kept this streak going, knowing we did this as a team – with all the naysayers doubting us, it’s a great feeling,” Best said.
Janes added, “It was very emotional for us. It really shows how you can’t take anything for granted, so we just left it all out there.”