Republic cut a 13-point first-half deficit to five points early in the third quarter during its game against Olathe South, but from that point on, the Falcons turned on the jets. Olathe South outscored Republic 31-12 the rest of the way, running away to a 60-36 win in the semifinals of the Rick Taylor Shootout at Blue Valley High School.
Republic struggled with turnovers all night and fell behind early. Olathe South led 15-8 after one quarter and 29-21 at halftime. The biggest lead of the first half was 23-10, before Brenley Hagewood got hot. He scored nine points in the second period to help get the Tigers back in the game, and when Jordan Douglas dropped in a three-pointer on Republic’s first possession after halftime, the Falcon lead was only 29-24. But Mason Jordan answered with a three-pointer at the other end, and Olathe South never looked back.
When Hagewood left the game with an injured ankle, Republic’s turnover and scoring struggles amplified. The Falcons outscored the Tigers 14-7 in the third quarter, and they led 43-28 as the fourth quarter began. Hagewood returned, but managed only two points the rest of the way.
Matt Corrales led Olathe South with 17 points. The Falcons made ten three-pointers in the game.
Hagewood finished with 16. CJ Uhl scored a career-high eight points for the Tigers.
Olathe South improves to 2-0 and will play for the shootout championship Friday. Republic falls to 2-3 and will play for third place Friday at 6:30.
Score by Quarters
Olathe South 15 14 14 17 – 60
Republic 8 13 7 9 – 36
Individual Scoring
Brenley Hagewood 16, CJ Uhl 8, Jordan Douglas 6, James Rexroat 4, Aslan Ebisch 2
