Race Looney had more career assists than anyone in Republic basketball history. He’ll get a chance to start over again at zero next winter, when he takes his talent to Baptist Bible College in Springfield. Looney signed his commitment to become a Patriot Thursday.
“Coach (Darin) Meinders reached out to me and he really believed it me and what I could do, and I felt like they had a lot to offer for me,” Looney said. “I really liked a lot of the players and what they had going for them and what they’re building here. I’m really excited to get going.”
Coach Tim Brown said he expects Looney to succeed and to make his teammates better at the next level of play.
“Race is a true point guard with a high basketball IQ, and a floor general. He is a great competitor and has high standards for himself and others around him,” Brown said. “He greatest strength is that makes other around him better and makes winning plays. He’s a winner.”
Looney said he’s looking forward to improving himself as he faces more difficult competition. And in doing that, he’ll draw on lessons he learned from both Brown and Trevyor Fisher, his two high school coaches.
“I obviously played for two really great coaches with Coach Fisher and Coach Brown. It’s kind of immeasurable, the amount I took from them. I took some from each coach,” Looney said. “I think the biggest thing is being competitive, coming in, working hard every day, being mentally tough and being disciplined – just little things that shaped me throughout my high school career.”