Republic won its 12th consecutive game and opened its Central Ozark Conference schedule with a win, fighting through a slow start to beat Carl Junction on the road Tuesday, 68-48. The Tigers’ victory gives this year’s team the longest win streak of any Republic boys basketball team since 1992-93, when the Tigers won 18 in a row to start the season.
Republic struggled to score early against Carl Junction (5-9), committing too many turnovers and missing shots it normally makes. But sophomore Brenley Hagewood got the Tigers rolling in the second quarter. Hagewood exploded for 15 points in the second quarter, helping Republic build a significant lead for the first time. From a 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Tigers had built a 13-point lead at halftime, 35-22.
Carl Junction’s Ayden Bard helped keep the Bulldogs close in the third quarter. He scored seven points and helped keep the Tigers’ Ahlante Askew in check with tight defense. With two minutes left in the third quarter, Carl Junction pulled to within six points at 42-36. But back-to-back three-pointers by senior Gunner Ellison and junior Jordan Douglas pushed the lead back to double digits and the game was never close again.
Republic outscored Carl Junction 20-10 in the fourth quarter to pull away. In addition to Hagewood, who finished with 26 points, the Tigers got big games from Ellison and Khamari Edwards. Ellison scored 11 points in the second half when Askew and Hagewood were being held mostly in check. He finished with 14 points, and he has scored in double figures in two consecutive games.
Edwards had a big third quarter when the Tigers made an extra effort to get him the ball against Carl Junction’s smaller lineup. He scored eight in the third quarter and finished with a career-high 12 points.
Republic improves to 13-1 overall and 1-0 in the COC. Carl Junction is 5-9 (0-1). The Tigers travel to Joplin Friday night for another COC game.
Score by Quarters
Carl Junction 8 14 16 10 – 48
Republic 13 22 13 20 – 68
Individual Scoring
Brenley Hagewood 26, Gunner Ellison 14, Khamari Edwards 12, Jordan Douglas 6, Isaiah Nabors 4, Ahlante Askew 4, Aslan Ebisch 2
