Nixa entered the game ranked #2 in the state while Branson was #5 in the state ratings. The schools had split their two earlier meetings during the regular season, but when it counted the most, the Eagles soared. From a first quarter tie, Nixa outscored Branson 17-10 to take a seven point lead at the intermission. The Pirates briefly got within four in the third quarter, but from there Nixa took over, keeping the lead in double-figures for most of the reminder of the game and winning in overwealming fashion.

At the Class 4, District 11 boys championship in Republic, the home-team Tigers found themselves in deep trouble early in the second half when they trailed second seeded Reeds Spring 22-11. But by the minute-and-a-half mark of that same quarter, Republic had taken the lead at 26-25 on a turnover and bucket by Kevin Stander, and the Tigers would pull away from there to win 43-33.

Springfield Hillcrest fans who made the trip to Carthage got to see a double dose of good news for Hornet fans as both the boys and girls teams took district crowns. The top seeded Hillcrest boys topped second seed Joplin 52-42 while the third seeded Lady Hornets knocked off top seed Willard 54-49.

Up next for the weekend's survivors? The sectionals on Wednesday with the teams just two victories away from a trip to the Final Four in Columbia.

At Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, the Class 5 sectional finds Kickapoo and Hillcrest meeting in the 6 p.m. girls game followed by Hillcrest and Nixa in the boys game at 7:45 p.m.

The Class 4 sectional at Missouri Southern in Joplin has Webb City and Republic in the girls game at 6 p.m. followed at 7:45 p.m. by the boys match-up between Republic and Harrisonville.

Another Class 4 sectional at Lebanon high school features the West Plains-St. James girls at 6 p.m. with Bolivar against Jefferson City Helias at 7:45 in the boys contest.