The fabulous high school basketball career of Napheesa Collier at Incarnate Word Academy came to an end last weekend in a most fitting way: with another truly dominating performance and another state title.
In her high school swan song, Collier scored 30 points and grabbed 19 rebounds to lead the Red Knights to a 60-27 victory over MICDS in the girls Class 4 state championship game at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
Playing on the big stage of the state championships for one final time, Collier closed her career with two magnificent performances in the Final Four as IWA won a record seventh state championship and third in succession during the Collier era.
In the semifinals, Collier had 28 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocks in a 78-55 victory over Bolivar. For the weekend, Collier averaged 29 points, 16.5 rebounds, 5.5 blocks and made a stunning 29 for 33 from the field.
With three state championships and a scholarship to national collegiate powerhouse Connecticut under her belt, Collier cemented her legacy as one of the top players in the history of the state of Missouri.
Collier got plenty of support from junior Abbey Hoff in the semifinals against Bolivar. The 5’11” Hoff scored a game-high 29 points, which included an impressive seven for nine from 3-point range. In the championship game, guard Ivana Easley stepped up big with 10 points, including three 3-pointers when MICDS double-teamed Collier in the low post.
After starting the season with a 1-2 record, Incarnate Word finished the season on a 28 game winning streak in winning the state championship. The Red Knights finished their three-year championship run with a 90-4 record.
MICDS was making its first appearance in the Final Four in the school’s history, finishing the season with a 27-3 record. The Rams defeated Hillcrest 64-34 in the semifinals on Friday night. Freshman forward Lindsey Parks had a career high 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Rams.
Parkway North finished third in the Class 5 state tournament. The Vikings dropped a 55-54 heartbreaker to Liberty in the semifinals on a shot at the buzzer last Friday night. North rebounded to defeat Cor Jesu 67-54 in the third place game. It was Parkway North’s first-ever appearance in the Final Four of the state tournament.
Junior guard Alecia Sutton led the Vikings with 20 points and seven rebounds against Cor Jesu. Junior forward Mya Johnson dominated the inside with 17 points and 18 rebounds while sophomore guard Jadyn Pimentel had 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks. Sutton had 14 points and seven rebounds in the semifinals against Liberty while Johnson had 13 points and seven rebounds.
