Rogersville used a flurry of three-pointers to shoot their way back into the game in the second half against Republic. But one layup by Tucker Thomas shot the Wildcats back out of it for good.
Thomas received a no-look bounce pass from Drew McMillin on the left block with two seconds left in overtime, pivoted and laid the ball in off the glass, and sent the Tigers to the championship game of the Republic Invitational with a 59-57 win over the Wildcats.
Rogersville had trailed for most of the game and faced a 44-35 deficit with about seven minutes left in the game. But the Wildcats but made five three-pointers in the fourth quarter to grab a lead with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. The Tigers tied the game 55-55 and had a chance to win it in regulation, but a shot at the buzzer was off the mark.
In the overtime, each team scored a single field goal to set up a 57-57. After Republic missed the front end of a one-and-one, Rogersville had the ball with nine seconds remaining, but threw it out of bounds and turned it back to Republic.
On the ensuing play, McMillin dribbled across half court and into the key. As the defense collapsed on him he bounced the ball to his left, finding Thomas wide open for the game-winner.
Thomas finished with a game-high 20 points and McMillin had 19. Looney had nine, Joe Rexroat scored five, Will Berry added four, and Nate Woolford scored two.
In addition to the game-winning assist, McMillin finished the third quarter by making a shot from nearly the full length of the floor. That stretched Republic’s lead to 40-35 heading into the final period.
Rogersville finished the game with 13 three-pointers, nine in the second half. Kanon Gipson led Rogersville with 18 points on six treys.
Republic improves to 2-0. They advance to face Park Hill South in the championship game of the Republic Invitational tomorrow. Park Hill South beat Ozark 59-52.
Republic Scoring
Tucker Thomas 20, Drew McMillin 19, Race Looney 9, Joe Rexroat 5, Will Berry 4, Nate Woolford 2