Despite their loss in the championship game of the Pink & White tournament, the Lady Tigers are off to a hot start as conference basketball approaches. Through the unofficial first half of the season, Republic is 7-3. All three of the Lady Tigers’ losses are to state-ranked teams, including two to Springfield Kickapoo and one to defending state champ Incarnate Word. Republic went 3-1 at the Pink & White, winning its first three games by an average of nearly 24 points. Republic resumes its post-holiday schedule with a game at Springfield Central this week.