Republic’s frenzied defense forced 32 Willard turnovers and turned those turnovers into 44 points, as the Lady Tigers blew out Willard on Senior Night, 78-41, earning Republic’s 20th win of the season.
See our new Senior Night Tributes, sponsored by Artistic Photography, here.
Senior Brooke Stanfield scored 21 points to lead the way for the Lady Tigers. Alexis Ladwig had 14 and Taylor Fergen scored 12.
“It was really bittersweet,” says Stanfield. “We’ve either played with each other or against each other since first grade. We just wanted to come out, have fun, play our game, and go out with a bang.”
Within the first few minutes of the game, it was apparent that Republic was asserting control. The Lady Tigers led 22-8 at the end of the first quarter and 43-20 at halftime. It was 68-34 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
Republic shot 57% from the floor and 47% from three-point range. The Lady Tigers made 7-of-15 threes, including four more by Alexis Ladwig.
Stanfield had 14 of her 21 points in the first half. She says the team has settled in since earning the state’s No. 1 ranking a few weeks ago.
“There has been that added pressure since we moved up to that top spot, and I think that first few games it showed. I think we’ve kind of settled down and we’re figuring out how to handle ,” she says. “It’s basketball and I’m playing with girls that I love. It’s going to be a blast.”
The Lady Tigers honored seven seniors before the game: Stanfield, Ladwig, Jordan Kabetske, Logan Flood, Brylee Argo, Jade Sawyer, and Carly Bayans. Kris Flood says this group of seniors is unique because his daughter is one of them.
“I’ve spent a lot of time with those kids, not just during school ball, but they’ve played together for a long time and we’ve spent summers and traveled around playing basketball and got to know the parents,” he says. “They’re a good group of kids. It’s unique to have that many who stick it out for four years and keep playing.”
In addition to the three lady Tigers in double figures, Republic got nine points from Allyson Barrett and Kabetske, six from Argo, and two each from Bayans, Madison Beckham, and Madi Appleberry. Jade Sawyer added one point.
Republic improves to 20-1. They’re 5-0 in the Central Ozark Conference, with two games to play. Next up is Ozark on the road Thursday.