For the second game in a row, the Republic Tigers let a solid lead slip away in the final quarter. This time, though, they rallied to win anyway.
The Tigers beat Carl Junction 47-36 in the consolation semifinals of the Republic Invitational Tournament. Brock Yocum had 22 points, leading the way from long range for a second straight game. Yocum had six three-pointers against the Bulldogs, following up his seven-trey performance against West Plains earlier in the week.
The Tigers jumped in front early, grabbing a 26-11 lead at halftime. Yocum had four threes and Mitchell Coiner had two in the first half. Republic played solid defense, but was aided by Carl Junction’s inability to get the ball in the hoop from close range.
“They missed some easy layups there that helped us, but I thought our intensity and energy level was pretty good from the start,” says coach Trevyor Fisher.
Carl Junction cut the lead to eight (34-28) at the end of three quarters, and eventually got within a possession of tying it up. Republic responded with good defense and hit just enough free throws to ice the victory, but Fisher says his team’s inexperience showed for a second straight game.
“It’s an inexperienced team, and when you have inexperience, sometimes you’ve got to learn how to win games and play with the lead and know what’s a good shot, what’s the time, how’s the momentum of the game going? We didn’t do a very good job down the stretch of figuring that out, but that’s what inexperience does,” Fisher says. “The good thing is we got out of there with a win and that’s the bottom line.”
Coiner and Tim Brazeal had ten points apiece for the Tigers. Brady McGill had three and Blake Fanning had two.
Republic improves to 2-1. They advance to the consolation finals Saturday at 12:30, where they’ll meet Rogersville. The Wildcats beat Bolivar in their consolation semifinal game.
Get every story delivered.
Tiger Wire — Republic sports news, free every morning.