Pink Division Championship: Strafford Reclaims the Crown with Statement Win Over Marshfield

By Skylan Akins | SWMOSports

Championship pedigree showed from the opening tip — and never wavered.

Behind suffocating man-to-man defense, relentless pressure, and a dominant performance from Kinley Larsen, the top-seeded Strafford Lady Indians pulled away from the No. 2 seed Marshfield Lady Jays for a convincing 78–49 victory in the Pink Division championship game.

With the win, Strafford captured its sixth Pink & White championship and its first since 2021, reclaiming the throne after last season’s runner-up finish to Kickapoo.

Setting the Stage

Marshfield entered the title game 11–1, with its lone loss coming to state power Principia. The Lady Jays reached the championship by knocking off Parkview, No. 7 Norwood, and No. 3 West Plains, chasing their first tournament title since 2007.

Strafford arrived as the top seed at 8–1, its only blemish a three-point loss to Kickapoo. The Lady Indians advanced past archrival Fair Grove, No. 8 Willard, and No. 4 Republic, returning to the championship game for the second straight season after winning five titles prior to 2023.

How the Game Unfolded

First Quarter: Early Punch, Stronger Response

Marshfield struck first with a Kendyl Dolan three, grabbing a 3–0 lead. Strafford answered immediately.

A Kinley Larsen three ignited an 8–0 run, flipping momentum and putting the Lady Indians ahead 8–3. Strafford’s man defense proved suffocating, but Marshfield fought back by breaking the press, pushing transition, and using its size inside, trimming the deficit to 16–15.

Momentum swung again when Elsie Larsen delivered a huge sequence — a bucket followed by a steal and score — pushing the lead back out. Strafford closed the quarter firmly in control.

Strafford led 25–17 after one.

Second Quarter: Defense Turns into Separation

The second quarter opened with back-and-forth play. With 3:33 left, Strafford held a 34–24 lead, then delivered the game’s first decisive blow.

A 9–2 run, fueled by elite defense and two more Kinley Larsen threes, stretched the margin to 43–26 with 1:30 remaining. Moments later, Marshfield’s Izzy Cherne went down and was forced to leave the game.

Strafford led 43–28 at halftime.

Third Quarter: Strafford Slams the Door

Cherne returned to start the second half, but Strafford wasted no time reasserting control.

A 7–0 run, capped by another Kinley Larsen three, pushed the lead to 50–28. Marshfield briefly found offense as Strafford worked through foul trouble, cutting the deficit to 54–40 late in the quarter.

Strafford responded with a strong close.

Strafford led 62–40 after three quarters.

Fourth Quarter: Championship Statement

The final quarter left no doubt.

Kinley Larsen continued her takeover, drilling another three and converting an and-one to extend the lead to 70–42 with 5:39 remaining. From there, Strafford flirted with turbo-clock territory, controlled tempo, and emptied the bench late.

The horn sounded with the Lady Indians firmly back on top.

Final Score

Strafford 78, Marshfield 49

Scoring Breakdown (by Quarter)

Quarter	Strafford	Marshfield
1st	25	17
2nd	18	11
3rd	19	12
4th	16	9
Final	78	49

Leading Scorers

Strafford Lady Indians

• Kinley Larsen — 30 points

• Trista Van horn — 22 points

• Elsie Larsen — 13 points

• Jayden Onore — 4 points

• Blair Bough — 4 points

• Lydia Goodin — 2 points

Marshfield Lady Jays

• Quinn Aldredge — 16 points

• Payton Ward — 16 points

• Tilly Greenfield — 8 points

• Kendyl Dolan — 4 points

• Izzy Cherne — 2 points

What It Means

• Strafford secures its sixth Pink & White championship, reaffirming its place as one of the tournament’s premier programs and reclaiming the crown after last year’s disappointment.

• Marshfield finishes runner-up after an impressive tournament run, continuing to build momentum as a contender while still searching for its first championship since 2007.

In a championship defined by pressure, pace, and poise, Strafford delivered a performance worthy of its history — and once again set the standard in the Pink Division.