Republic escaped with a 48-32 victory against winless Springfield Central Friday night, but it wasn’t easy. The Bulldogs stayed in the game until the fourth quarter, taking advantage of Republic’s offensive troubles and hitting just enough three-pointers to hang around.
Central led for much of the first quarter, but the Tigers surged ahead 12-10 as the period ended. In the second quarter, Republic got more aggressive after coach Trevyor Fisher instituted a trapping defense.
” very deliberate on offense,” Fisher says. “It felt like we needed to get our energy level up and moving around and being more aggressive. We just tried to speed them up. We’ve got to do a better job of working on that, and I think we will as practice goes.”
Republic stretched its lead to 19-12 at halftime, allowing just two points in the second quarter. It was 34-19 as the fourth quarter began, but Central got back within ten before the Tigers put the game away.
Cole Buxton came off the bench in the first half to spark the defense, and he added six points on two three-pointers in the second half. Fisher says Buxton had a good week of practice before Friday.
“We talk all the time about guys on the bench–you never know when you’re going to get your opportunity, so when you do, you better be able to make the most of it,” Fisher says. “Cole was ready to go when his number was called tonight, and that was big. He was one of the few guys who I thought was ready to go.”
Broc Smith scored 15 to lead Republic.
After the game, Fisher told the Tigers their effort will have to improve.
“I reiterated the fact that we’re not a good enough team just to come out on the floor and expect good things to happen,” Fisher says. “When we hook it up and get after people, we can be pretty good. When we don’t, and our mental focus isn’t there, we’ll struggle against anybody.”
Republic is 4-2. They host Bolivar next Tuesday in their last game before the Blue & Gold Tournament.
The Republic JV won 60-19. The freshmen won 39-21.
Individual Scoring
Broc Smith 15, Trent Rackley 6 Cole Buxton 6, Race Looney 5, Hunter Creek 5, Tucker Thomas 4, Drew McMillin 3, Jacob Coday 2, Jaden Duvall 2
