Small school against big school. Former players against a former coach. All the story lines in Friday’s Blue & Gold Tournament game between Republic and Fair Grove (where Tim Brown coached previously) aligned to foreshadow a potential upset.
Republic would have none of it.
The Tigers played one of their most complete games of the season, sprinting away from the Eagles in a 58-33 victory. Republic led 23-10 by the end of the first quarter and never looked back.
“We came out and we were ready to play,” said coach Tim Brown. “We had a great start and executed our game plan for four quarters. Our attention to detail on the defensive end was up to our standards and we did more ‘Republic’ things.”
The only speed bump for the Tigers happened in the second quarter, when they managed just eight points, getting outscored by the Eagles 10-8. The score was 31-20 at halftime.
But Republic allowed only 13 points in the second half and pulled away. Drew McMillin finished with a season-high 25 points, including seven three-pointers, one short of a school record. Eight different players scored for the Tigers in the win.
“We were patient offensively and got great looks and executed,” Brown said of the offense.
Republic, seeded fourth, improves to 5-3 and advances to the semifinals. The Tigers will meet top-seeded Kickapoo at 7 p.m. at JQH Arena.
Republic scoring: Drew McMillin 25, Race Looney 8, Joe Rexroat 8, Tucker Thomas 6, Ahlante Askew 3, Will Berry 3, Carson Neff 3, Oliver Welch 2