Republic pounced on Parkview, grabbed a 20-point halftime lead, then held off a Vikings rally in the 2nd half for a 68-50 win at home Tuesday night. Treydon Rackley led Republic with 22 points. Broc Smith and Ty Stevens scored 12 each.
The Tigers picked apart Parkview’s defense and shut down its guard-heavy offense in the first half, building a 35-15 lead after 16 minutes of play. Republic’s perimeter defense shut down Parkview’s outside sharpshooters, and the Tigers’ defensive rotation cut off the Parkview guards when they tried to penetrate. Republic parlayed that defensive success into lots of fast-break points, and the Tigers had just as much success in the half-court, spreading the Viking defense, slashing into the gaps, and getting easy buckets.
“I think we just played with confidence in the 1st half,” says coach Trevyor Fisher. “We were moving the ball. We got good shots, and it’s always better when those first couple of shots go in. I’m proud of how we started the game on both ends of the floor, offensively and defensively.”
Parkview struck back in the 3rd quarter when their guards heated up from the outside. A man-to-man full-court pressure defense caused fits for the Tigers, and Parkview got the lead into single digits. It looked like the wheels were falling off for the Tigers—until sophomore Broc Smith stepped up. Smith hit two consecutive three-pointers and made another jump-shot in the lane to turn the momentum and get the lead back into double digits. Parkview made one more run, but never really threatened again. The Tigers hit enough free throws down the stretch to pull away again.
Fisher credits his team for withstanding the Parkview run in the 3rd quarter.
“We were able to keep our composure and make plays. It all really came down to getting defensive stops. That’s what we’ve got to hang our hat on,” Fisher says.
Other scoring for the Tigers included Mitch Coiner with seven, Cameron Doke with seven, and four apiece for Devon Ward and Caleb Singley.
Parkview falls to 5-2. Republic improves to 4-1. The Tigers are off until traveling to Waynesville next week. 
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Crackerjack Shack Player of the Game
After Republic jumped out to a 20-point lead at halftime, Parkview stormed back and had the Tigers on the ropes. That’s when sophomore Broc Smith stepped forward, hitting two straight three-pointers and scoring eight of his 12 points in the 3rd quarter to turn the tide back to the Tigers. For the timing of that clutch performance, he’s our Player of the Game.
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