The Republic invitational tournament will open a day early because of schedule changes related to the state championship football game in Columbia on Friday 18th will be competing in a tournament and all it will be an action Wednesday. Here’s a preview of every team.
(You can find a schedule here.)
Hillcrest
Hillcrest was a Class 5 state quarterfinalist last season. The Hornets return two all-Ozark Conference players: A.K. Staten-Ballance and Taner Hicks.
Liberty
Liberty has four starters back and seven players overall. Senior Zah Aganovic is an all-conference and all-district returner. Two others, Edric Binagi and Kale Mortimer, earned all-conference honorable mention for the Eagles last season.
Ozark
Ozark finished 12-15 last season, but brings back a solid core of players that includes all-COC players Hudson Roberts and Jace Whatley. Roberts has committed to play baseball at the University of Arkansas.
Park Hill South
Park Hill South finished 18-10 last season, tying for third in their conference. Two returning starters, both senior guards, highlight this year’s team. Point guard Colby Kiedrowski was an honorable mention all-district and all-conference player last year. Damon Stacker also returns.
Republic
Republic is coming off a 24-4 season, and returns four of its top eight players. Junior Brenley Hagewood, last year’s leading scorer, will lead the offense after averaging about 16 points per game last season.
Rogers, Ark.
Rogers returns three key starters: Rex Krout, Aidan Chronister, and Graycen Cash. Together, they provided about 25 points and 12 rebounds per game last year. Chronister, a sophomore, has multiple high-level Division I offers.
Rolla
The Bulldogs have four starters back from a 17-10 team last season. Ethan Brown, an all-conference and all-district player, leads the way. He averaged 19 points per game last season. He has college offers from St. Louis University, Lindenwood, and Southeast Missouri.
Springdale, Ark.
Springdale was a state runner-up in Arkansas last season and is ranked in that state’s top five as the season begins. Isaiah Sealy is a Division I prospect, with offers from Arkansas, Ole Miss, Texas, and Oklahoma.
