Republic jumped on top 7-0 and never looked back in a season-opening win over Lebanon, 60-29, in the Republic Invitational. Eight different players scored for the Tigers, who were led by Canyon Smith’s 13. Smith had three 3-pointers.
Grant Hancock had 12 points for the Tigers, who used their size and quickness advantage to run away early from the Yellowjackets. Republic led 17-7 after one quarter, and used a 9-0 run to end the half as they built a 37-11 advantage at the break.
The Tigers’ balanced attack also featured eight points each from Marcus Miller and Ty Abney. Cody Geiger and Jake Fletcher had six apiece, Dillen Ramsey had four, and Dylan Bekemeier scored three.
Coach Trevyor Fisher says he was pleased with the defense, especially in the first half, when the Tigers only allowed 11 points.
“Our guards did a good job of pressuring the ball and forcing turnovers, and our big guys did a good job of being in help position,” says Fisher. “Very pleased with our defensive effort, and especially with how hard we played.”
The Tigers’ offensive versatility made it impossible for Lebanon to key on one or two players, and that’s something Fisher says will be a key to Republic’s success all year.
“We have the ability to bring five and six guys off the bench. We can mix and match different combinations, so it’s definitely a luxury that we have,” Fisher says. “We have to rely on just playing good team basketball. Playing inside-out, getting the ball on the paint. If they collapse on those big guys, we’ve got the ability to kick it out to those guys to make plays.”
For Fisher, it was his first official game as a head coach. He says the first-game jitters melted away once the ball was tipped.
“Leading up to the game was probably more stressful than anything. Just leading up to things — Do I have the numbers in the scorebook right? What are we doing in pre-game warmups — but once that game started, I felt pretty comfortable, and very excited to get our first win under our belts.”
Republic advances to the tournament semifinals against Russellville, Ark., Friday night. Russellville, seeded sixth, knocked off #3-seeded Ozark 61-56.
