Broc Smith scored the 1,000th point of his high school career and joined Drew McMillin and Trent Rackley in double-figures scoring, as the Tigers beat Branson 61-50 on the road Tuesday. Republic’s defense stifled the Pirates most of the night, helping the Tigers break a three-game losing skid.
“We spent a lot of time on the defensive end this past week. Something we’ve talked about is trying to get that side of the ball taken care of and realizing that’s what’s going to win us games,” said coach Tim Brown. “We stay disciplined and we got down in a stance and we guarded.”
It took four minutes for Republic to score its first field goal, but defense kept the Tigers in the game early. Republic allowed just five points in the first quarter, and when Broc Smith got free on a fast break and threw down a dunk, it gave the Tigers a 9-5 lead after one period. The Tigers outscored Branson 10-8 in the second quarter to lead 19-13 at halftime.
The pace of the game speeded up in the second half, and both teams found a rhythm offensively. Republic pushed its lead to 13 points late in the third quarter, and coach Tim Brown called for the Tigers to hold the ball for one shot, but a series of mistakes let the Pirates back into the game. The Tigers turned the ball over three times in quick succession, allowing Branson to score six straight points to end the quarter, cutting the lead back down to six as the fourth quarter began, 40-34.
Aside from that stretch to end the third quarter, though, Brown said he thought his team responded well to Branson’s game plan.
“They were very patient early to try to throw us out of our rhythm offensively. And I think some of that was that we didn’t give them very many good looks in the first half,” Brown said. “And then it kind of got a good pace and flow to start the third , and it allowed more possessions for both teams.
“They made a lot of hard shots––shots that we feel like aren’t shots that aren’t going to beat us––a lot of deep desperation ones. Give them credit. They made them. But what we did in the first half was what I’m impressed with.”
Broc Smith scored 13 points. He needed 11 to reach 1,000 for his career.
“I figured it was coming,” Smith said of the scoring milestone, “but what I was focused on was getting a win after losing three straight. We had a bad taste in our mouth, and that’s mainly what I was focused on, whether I scored two points or 20 points, I just wanted to … help our team win, and that’s what we did. I think we did a great job.”
Drew McMillin led Republic with 20 points and Trent Rackley scored 14. Jaden Duvall and Race Looney added seven each.
The Tigers improved to 14-6 overall. They’re 3-0 in the Central Ozark Conference, and they’ll travel to Carthage for a COC game Friday. Republic Tiger Sports will broadcast the game live.