Former Republic basketball standout Alice Heinzler Harmon received the Filbert Five Award from the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame today, honoring her contributions to the sport in high school and college.
“Southwest Missouri, in women’s basketball and men’s basketball, is definitely a sweet spot. Just looking back at who has received this award, the talent’s high. There are faces where I’m like, ‘Wow, I didn’t realize they got [the award] as well.’ So I definitely feel honored and am just enjoying the day,” Harmon said.
During her tenure at Republic, Harmon was a two-time all-state selection in 2012 and 2013. Her performance was pivotal in leading the Lady Tigers to a state championship in 2012.
“Growing up in Republic and starting at a young age, building those fundamentals with the Lady Tiger basketball program was crucial. Everybody knows it around here,” Harmon said. “It’s nostalgic, competitive, tough. It’s something to be proud of, to be a Lady Tiger.”
After her high school career, Harmon continued to excel at College of the Ozarks and later at Drury University. She led the Lady Bobcats to a second-place finish in the NAIA Tournament. At Drury, she scored 1,078 points in three seasons as the Lady Panthers reached the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 three years in a row.
The Filbert Five Award highlights Harmon’s enduring impact on the sport of basketball, celebrating her achievements from high school at Republic to her collegiate career.