A coach and three Republic basketball players have captured statewide recognition.
Republic coach Kris Flood was named Class 4 Girls Basketball Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Tigers to the state title.
Alice Heinzler and Sarah Kreul were named to the MCBA’s all-state team on the girls side, and Nick Yocum earned all-state recognition on the boys team.
Heinzler led the Lady Tigers with an average of just over 13 points a game–and also led the team in steals. Kreul was an anchor inside for the state champs, despite being outsized by opponents most of the season.
Yocum was the senior floor leader for Republic, in addition to leading the team in scoring. He averaged more than 16 points per game. He also hit 42% of his shots from 3-point range for the season and helped spark the defense that was the trademark of Gary Stanfield’s teams the past four seasons.
For Yocum, it’s his second straight year as an all-state performer. He was named to the second team last season.
Republic players have landed several other postseason awards.
Yocum was also named first-team all-COC. He was one of two unanimous selections, along with Jalen Norman of Nixa. Desmond Buerge of Carthage, and Jordan Epps and Austin Ruder of Nixa are also on the first team. Payton Looney was selected for honorable mention.
For the Lady Tigers, Heinzler was named a first-team All-COC performer. Brooke Dutton was named to the 2nd team.
Three Lady Tigers — Dutton, Heinzler and Kreul — were named to the All-District team in Class 4 District 11.
Yocum was named to the All-District team as well.
