If you want a measuring stick to gauge Republic’s improvement over the last six weeks, go back to a December game at Bolivar. The Tigers trailed most of the way that night, using a late run to come from behind and beat the Liberators 56-54.
Fast forward to Friday’s game in the Liberator Tournament – also on a Friday night and also on Bolivar’s home floor. This time, the Tigers outscored Bolivar 20-5 in the first quarter and led by as many as 29 points on their way to a 55-39 win. And they did it without starting guard Ahlante Askew, who was sidelined with an injury.
Republic’s defense was as good as it’s been all year, allowing five, seven, and six points in each of the first three quarters.
“Our defense was awesome tonight. We really talked coming into this game that we needed to rebound the basketball. We felt like watching the game last time, they killed us on second-chance points and just really hurt us on those extra possessions,” said coach Tim Brown. “Our buys battled. Our guys were prepared, and they stepped up to the challenge, and this was really fun.”
One night after the Tigers scored 86 points against Camdenton, the offense was more controlled, but just as efficient, against Bolivar’s defense.
“We had a lot of long, grinding possessions, and that’s really fun to watch. We’re not used to those 80-point explosions like you had last night. We’re used to running good offense and taking the shot that we want to shoot, and our guys executed all phases of the game plan tonight,” Brown said.
The Tigers had broken the school record with 17 three-pointers – 16 of them by Drew McMillin – Thursday night. They started out on a pace to break it again, making five three-pointers in the first quarter. Drew McMillin had three, Devon McMillin had one, and Will Fronabarger had one. They ended up with eight, despite spending most of the fourth quarter spreading the half-court offense and looking for easy layups.
Oliver Welch finished with seven points and was a big part of the defensive effort that stifled the Liberators. “We have the same goal in mind. I think a lot of credit goes to our game plan, and it really worked out. Playing against kids who were 6’6″, 6’7″, 6’5″, we had to box out a lot,” he said.
Avery Moody was another defensive force on the block for Republic, alongside Welch. “We practiced… doubling the post, and I think we did excellent at getting the post doubled, then getting back out for the shooter,” said Moody.
Drew McMillin led all scorers with 24 points. He has 85 points through the first two games of the tournament.
The Tigers improve to 16-1. They play Jefferson City Helias, which defeated West Plains 72-59 in the other semifinal. Republic beat Helias 60-42 in the first game of the season for both teams on November 24.
Republic Tiger Sports will carry the championship game at 2:30 Saturday.
Republic Scoring
Drew McMillin 24, Oliver Welch 7, Avery Moody 6, Devon McMillin 6, Will Fronabarger 6, Carson Neff 5, Tyson Young 1
