Five first-half three-pointers by Brock Yocum kept #4 seed Republic in the game against fifth-seeded Hartville at the Blue & Gold Tournament Saturday, but the Eagles pulled away in the second half for a 56-45 victory. Jones scored 16 points and Dedmon 15 for the Eagles, who advance to play Nixa in the semifinals Monday.
After a lackluster effort in a win over Reeds Spring Friday, coach Trevyor Fisher was happier with his team’s aggressiveness in the Saturday loss.
“I told the guys before the game, you’ll give yourselves a chance to win the game if you compete. I think we did that,” he says. “At the same time, we didn’t do the little things in order to get over the hump. We got a little tired late. had multiple offensive rebounds given up, but for the most part I do think we competed.”
Hartville jumped out 17-10 at the end of the first quarter, but Republic scored eight straight points to take the lead, and eventually stretched the lead to three points at 25-22. But Hartville finished the first half with a 9-0 run to take control and never looked back.
“They’re a talented team. They’re hard to guard. That’s why they’re as good as they are,” says Fisher. “They’ve got five offensive weapons on the floor at all times. They spread you out and they can all shoot it. They’re a good, solid ball club.”
For Republic, Yocum scored 18 points to lead all scorers. Brady McGill scored nine. Tim Brazeal had five. Blake Fanning, Tristan Ollar, and Mitch Coiner scored three apiece. Ty Stevens and Travis Sly each scored two for the Tigers.
The Tigers have to turn around and play a consolation bracket game on Monday at 12:30 p.m. They’ll meet Conway at Hammons Student Center.
“If they think the tournament’s over and they’re just going to come in on Monday and play timid and not aggressive, then Conway’s going to do the exact same thing,” says Fisher. “They’re a very talented team. They get out in transition. They can shoot it. So it will be important for our guys to forget about today and come back Monday with a good attitude.”