One year after getting surprised and blown out at Ozark, Republic made sure it didn’t happen again. The Tigers got off to a fast start and beat Ozark 51-43 Tuesday night, clinching at least a share of the Central Ozark Conference championship.
Sophomore Broc Smith led the way with 18 points. He scored 10 in the first half, helping Republic jump to an 11-point lead in the second quarter. Ozark cut the lead to five before halftime, and eventually got it as low as four points in the second half, but they would never get any closer. Only a barrage of three-pointers – Ozark made seven of them – kept the game as close as it was.
“We came in here last year and just got blitzed never had a chance to get into the game, so that was our focus—having a good start,” says coach Trevyor Fisher. “We did a good job of executing offensively. We got some defensive stops for a good little run there to start the game.”
Last season, like this season, Republic entered the Ozark game with a perfect conference record. In 2016, Ozark hung 74 points on Republic’s highly rated defense in a 23-point blowout. This year, Republic led 16-12 after the first quarter and 23-12 midway through the second. It was 31-23 at halftime.
Fisher says Smith’s play off the bench is a key for the Tigers as the playoffs approach.
“He’s another big body with long arms that can score from the perimeter and can rebound. We need him to be productive to be our best,” Fisher says. “He’s going through some growing pains as a young guy going through this for the first time, so it’s good for him to bounce back and have a great game like that.”
Ozark made one last run to close the gap to four points in the fourth quarter, but Fisher says he kept his message to his players positive.
“We knew if we did what we’re supposed to, we’d still be all right. For the most part, defensively, we were really good,” he says. “They hit some tough shots late to keep them in it, and we had a few turnovers offensively, but we made enough plays and hit enough free throws down the stretch.”
Three Republic players finished in double figures. In addition to Smith, Treydon Rackley and Ty Stevens finished with 10 each.
Republic improves to 20-5. They’re 7-0 in the Central Ozark Conference with one game left. That’s Thursday night against Carthage, when Republic will celebrate Senior Night. A win will clinch the conference championship outright.
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Crackerjack Shack Player of the Game
Sophomore Broc Smith fueled a big first half for the Tigers. He scored ten points before the halftime break and ended the game with a team-high 18 points, and he’s our Crackerjack Shack Player of the Game.
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