Incarnate Word win streak reaches 130 games after victory over Rock Bridge in Missouri Class 6 girls basketball semifinals
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI – The Incarnate Word girls basketball team is still streaking.
Led by junior guard Nevaeh Caffey's game-high 22 points and a suffocating defensive effort, the reigning Class 6 champion Red Knights defeated Rock Bridge 65-41 in the Missouri Class 6 semifinals on Friday at Mizzou Arena.
"I thought our defensive effort was good tonight," Incarnate Word coach Dan Rolfes said. "I thought we were good in spurts on offense, but I thought our defense was pretty consistent. I thought we did a good job defensively and it kind of set the tone for the game."
Rolfes suffered a medical emergency in the parking lot after the game and was rushed to the hospital. His condition is unknown. (Check this post for updates on Rolfes.)
Caffey, who recently committed to Indiana University, scored a game-high 22 points, including four 3-pointers, and added five steals as Incarnate Word recorded its 130 straight victory and earned a spot in Saturday's title game.
The Red Knights have won six straight state championships – Class 6 in 2021, 2022, 2023 and Class 4 in 2017, 2018 and 2019 – and will face Kickapoo (30-1) in the Class 6 championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Senior forward Zoe Best added 15 points and seven rebounds for Incarnate Word (30-0) and junior guard Peyton Hill had 10 points and four assists. Senior forward Abbie Sextro had seven rebounds.
Junior guard Elli Porter led Rock Bridge (25-6) with 10 points, while junior forward Malia Chievous scored nine. Sophomore forward Jayda Porter had five points and 12 rebounds.
Caffey scored 13 points in the first half and Zoe Best added 11 as the Red Knight built a 29-11 lead at the intermission.
Rock Bridge outscored Incarnate Word 13-11 in the third quarter, but the Red Knights pulled away in the fourth with a 25-point quarter.
"Congratulations to Incarnate. They played a great game," Rock Bridge coach Jill Nagel said. "Tomorrow's (third-place game) not the game we wanted to be in, but it's the game that we're in and we will get regrouped and be ready to go tomorrow. We had a great week of practice. We've had to re-invent ourselves, of sorts, in a short amount of time.
"We've lost two players who have played significant minutes this season to ACL injuries in the last three weeks – with both being our point guards. I'm extremely proud of this team and what we've done to be able to get to this point."
Missouri Class 6 girls basketball semifinal: Incarnate Word - Rock Bridge
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- Nate Latsch | latsch@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveMiz
