With a 49-37 victory over Richmond Jan. 17, Excelsior Springs varsity girls basketball coach JD Biermann and his Tigers accomplished two feats: They took fifth place at the Lawson Invitational and they avenged an earlier loss to the Spartans.

Excelsior Springs overcame a 13-0 deficit in defeating Richmond. Sparked by a 15-5 second-quarter run, the Tigers led 29-23 at halftime. The Tigers finished the meeting at Lawson High School by outscoring the Spartans 20-14 the second half.

Defense helped the Tigers get the win. The Tigers forced 33 turnovers, scoring 18 points off those turnovers.

Kayden Rogers led Excelsior Springs with 18 points. The junior went 3-for-3 from three-point range.

Junior Kinley Rogers also reached double figures with 11 points. In addition, she grabbed 16 rebounds for a doubledouble.

Other scorers were junior Bella Loeffert with six points, first-year high schooler Reese Ryan with five, senior Lizzy Hormell with four, senior Reese O’Dell with three and junior Josie Casl…