After committing more than 40 turnovers in their last two games, the Republic Lady Tigers held on tight to the ball Monday night. They committed just four turnovers in the first three quarters of a 58-21 road victory over Nevada. Republic scored the first nine points of the game and never looked back. The Lady Tigers drained four three-pointers in the first quarter as they built a 22-6 lead. It was 38-14 at halftime and 55-17 after three.
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Coach Kris Flood says the quick start was just what the doctor ordered after two games in which the Lady Tigers struggled to take care of the ball.
“I think that was one of the bigger things tonight, was get a little bit of a cushion. We’ve been pressing a little bit in those first two games,” Flood says. “We made some adjustments. We really tried to focus on our half-court defense, cut down on some of the fouling and putting other teams on the line. And I thought we took care of the ball better tonight.”
Republic blitzed Nevada from the opening tip. Michayla Shanks and Micah Mansker hit two quick treys, then Brooke Stanfield made it 9-0 on a traditional three-point play. After Nevada scored its first basket, Mansker drained another three-pointer, and the game was never close again.
“I thought we hit the offensive boards very well. We got some production out of everybody,” says Flood. That balanced attack ended with ten players scoring for Republic. Tori Taylor was the only Lady Tiger in double figures, with 10. Jordan Kabetske had eight and Michayla Shanks had seven. Brooke Stanfield, Bailey Cornelison, and Micah Mansker had six points each. Brylee Argo and Jade Sawyer each added five. Logan Flood had three, and Rachael Allen had two.
Republic ended the game with six three-pointers on the night. Kabetske and Mansker had two apiece, and Flood and Shanks each added one.
The Lady Tigers improve to 2-1. They play again Thursday night at home against Carl Junction. That night will feature a halftime ceremony honoring last year’s boys state basketball champions, and the unfurling of that team’s championship banner.
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