Republic led by as many as 25 points on the way to a dominating win over Springfield Hillcrest in the championship game of the Republic Invitational, 69-55. The Tigers used a 10-0 run to build a 21-11 lead after one quarter, extended the lead to 36-23 at halftime, and were never seriously threatened from there. Hillcrest got the lead below 15 in the final minute, after Republic’s starters had left the game. (See video below.)
“We started out the game very well, executed offensively, made some shots early,” says coach Trevyor Fisher. “We got quality shots inside to start with, and that’s the key. We’ve always got to play inside-out.”
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Cody Geiger was the star early, with eight points in the 1st quarter and 14 in the half, as the Tigers pounded the ball inside. The loudest of his points came on a rim-rocking dunk to end the half, extending the Tigers’ lead to 36-23.
But when the Hillcrest defense tried to adjust to Geiger’s inside game, Canyon Smith took over. He ended the game with four three-pointers and 19 points to lead all scorers. Eleven of his points came in the 2nd half.
“That’s what he does,” Fisher says of Smith. “We have all the confidence in the world when he’s open, he’s going to make it. He’s a tough matchup because he stretches the defense and allows our guys to drive, and opens up our inside guys. Even his defense, I was pleased with that as well.”
The 3rd quarter was where Republic put the game away, outscoring Hillcrest 17-9. The Hornets managed only one field goal in the period.
The Tigers also did a good job keeping Hillcrest’s very active and athletic lineup off the glass, limiting the Hornets to one shot on most possessions.
“We knew that was a big key,” Fisher says. “To stop them in transition first, then boxing them out to finish the possession.”
Senior Dylan Bekemeier finished the game with 14 points. His dribble penetration in the 1st quarter helped free up Geiger and led to the fast Tiger start. Dillen Ramsey added eight points, Cory Lafferty had four, and Brock Yocum, Chase Hoffmann, and Jordan Kerr added two each.
Juwan Johnson had 17 points and Brady Petry scored 15 for Hillcrest, who fell to 3-1.
The victory improves Republic’s record to 3-0.
