Republic not only defended its #1 seed in the Blue & Gold Tournament, it did it overwhelmingly. The Tiger defense smothered Mount Vernon from the start, and Ty Stevens scorched the Mountaineers for 11 1st-quarter points as Republic jumped ahead early and cruised to a 71-38 win in the tournament’s opening round.
Republic’s early advantage allowed coach Trevyor Fisher to rest his starters early, with the prospects of four games in four days looming for the Tigers. Nine players got into the game for Republic and eight of them scored, led by Stevens’ 19. Caleb Singley also finished in double figures with 15.
Republic led 20-10 after the 1st quarter and 35-20 at halftime. It was 54-31 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
Fisher says the fast start was important for the Tigers, partly because of the 11 a.m. tipoff.
“Especially early in the morning…you worry about being asleep and…letting them take it to us,” Fisher says. “Also, when you’re playing a young, up-and-coming team that’s the underdog, the more that you give them confidence, the better they’re going to play. We did a good job of jumping on them early and kind of deflating them right from the start.”
Broc Smith scored nine points. Mitch Coiner added eight. Cameron Doke scored seven. Treydon Rackley had six, Devon Ward had five, and Hunter Creek had two.
Republic will face Marshfield in the 2nd round at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at JQH Arena. The unseeded Blue Jays overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat Crane in overtime Monday morning. 
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Crackerjack Shack Player of the Game
The Tigers bolted to an early lead, and Ty Stevens was a big reason why. He came out on fire, scoring 11 points in the 1st quarter, to help the Tigers assert control and cruise to an opening-round victory, making him our Player of the Game.
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