Ten seconds after the opening tip, Ahlante Askew swished a 23-footer to give Republic its first three points. It was a sign of things to come. Republic made 11 three-pointers, including eight in the first half, on its way to a 78-33 win over Sedalia Smith-Cotton at home Tuesday.
Republic made five threes in the first quarter – the one by Askew, and two each by Drew McMillin and Will Fronabarger. By the end of the first quarter, Republic already had a 15-point lead, 23-8.
Fronabarger and Askew each added another three-pointer in the second quarter, and Devon McMillin got in on the act with a three of his own just before halftime. Only a fantastic first half by Smith-Cotton’s Matt Thompson kept the game respectable early. Thompson made five three-pointers of his own and scored 18 points before halftime, but despite that, Republic had stretched its lead to 49-22 by the midway point.
Another good defensive quarter for Republic helped them take a 38-point lead after three quarters, 67-29. They outscored Smith-Cotton 18-7 in the third period. Askew and Drew McMillin each added another three in that quarter, giving Republic ten for the game. Fronabarger made his fourth three-pointer in the fourth quarter, increasing the team total to 11 for the game. (The school record for a single game is 13, set two years ago against Springfield Central.)
Ten different players scored for Republic. That’s a season high. Askew led the team with 16 points. Drew McMillin had 15 and Will Fronabarger had 12. Those three players combined for 10 of Republic’s 11 treys.
Republic is 14-1. Smith-Cotton drops to 4-7. Republic’s next scheduled game is January 26th against Springfield Catholic in Springfield.
Republic Scoring
Ahlante Askew 16, Drew McMillin 15, Will Fronabarger 12, Avery Moody 8, Oliver Welch 6, Dalton Parks 5, Devon McMillin 5, Carson Neff 4, Gavyn Beckner 4, Tyson Young 3
