Republic is two-for-two to start the Central Ozark Conference season. The Tigers collared Carl Junction in a 62-35 road win Friday night, with nine different players contributing to the final score for Republic.
The Tigers wasted no time in asserting their superiority, scoring the first seven points of the game and grabbing an 18-9 lead after the first quarter. Republic outscored the Bulldogs 31-16 in the first half.
“It’s another good start for us on the road. I didn’t know if we’d come out flat – it’s a really long trip – and we came out ready to go,” said coach Tim Brown.
Even more than the Tigers’ fast start, Brown was impressed with the way his team emerged from the locker room at halftime. Republic scored the first ten points of the third quarter to put the game away.
“I’m probably just as proud of our edge that we kept in the second half,” he said. “We had a really good start to the second half, and really kind of kept getting better as the half went on, and we never let up, which is human nature sometimes. You get a lead and you lose your edge and you start scoreboard watching. I felt like we continued to get better.”
Republic held Carl Junction to just five points in the third quarter. Brown credited his team’s defensive performance, especially Race Looney’s handling of Bulldog Isaac Hoberecht.
“Race Looney has had back-to-back games where he shut down the opposing team’s best player and leading scorer. I think he held their high scorer to five points, maybe six points tonight,” Brown said. “Just a really great effort by him and all of our guys. Our forwards did a really nice job of helping hedge and keeping him in check.”
Joe Rexroat led Republic with 16 points and Drew McMillin added 15. Tucker Thomas was also in double figures with 10. Republic improves to 10-4. The Tigers have won five in a row and seven of their last eight. They travel to Sedalia to play Smith-Cotton Tuesday. Republic Tiger Sports will broadcast that game live.
Republic scoring: Joe Rexroat 16, Drew McMillin 15, Tucker Thomas 10, Skyler Lock 5, Ahlante Askew 4, Will Berry 4, Carson Neff 3, Nate Woolford 3, Race Looney 2
