Some of the best basketball players and coaches in Republic High School history will return to Republic for Thursday night’s Coaches vs Cancer game. The Tigers will play Reeds Spring, with the freshman game starting at 5.
The fundraiser event will primarily honor Don Carlson, who was an all-state performer for two years in the 1960s, and helped the Tigers win their only state title in 1963. Carlson went on to play at SMSU.
Carlson’s teammate, Howard Arndt, was a three-time all-state player for the Tigers during those years. He’s returning to Republic from the East Coast for the game and the ceremony.
Jack Trogdon, and all-state performer twice in the 1940s, will also be honored, along with Nick Yocum, who earned his second all-state recognition last season.
Former Republic coaches Gary Stanfield and Leland Brown, who coached the 1963 championship team, are among the other Tigers on hand for the event.
The fundraiser will feature a silent auction with basketball memorabilia from several major college basketball programs.
In addition, during halftime of the JV game, all-state volleyball player Nicole Hallam will be honored.