Republic put together a decisive run to take control in the second quarter, turned up its defense in the second half, and relied on offensive contributions from a balanced lineup to pull away for a 57-33 win at Willard. The win secured Republic’s third consecutive 20-win season and also guaranteed a share of the Central Ozark Conference (COC) championship with one game to play.
Republic made three three-pointers in the first quarter to build a 13-10 lead as the second quarter began, but Willard sophomore Harper Floyd helped the home team climb back on top. Floyd scored eight points in the second quarter, and Willard outscored Republic 13-5 to start the second period to build a five-point lead, 23-18, with 4:24 left in the first half.
That’s when Republic turned its defense up a notch. The Lady Tigers held Willard scoreless for the remainder of the half, reeling off 11 consecutive points to take a 29-23 lead at halftime. When Alex Price scored from just inside the three-point line early in the third quarter, Republic’s expanded to double-digits. By the time Willard scored again, Republic had posted more than five and a half minutes of scoreless defense.
Republic led 40-29 at the end of the third quarter, then outscored Willard 17-4 in the fourth to pull away. Republic held Willard to just 10 points in the second half.
Junior Lanney Strong led the Lady Tigers with 15 points. Misora Nambara added 11.
Willard falls to 8-16 and 3-5 in the COC. Republic’s record is 20-4 overall and 8-0 in the COC. Republic has guaranteed a share of the league title but can win it outright Thursday by beating Carl Junction at home. That will be Senior Night, and Republic will honor seniors Misora Nambara, Lauren Chastain, Molly Blades, Alex Price, Gracie Woods, Alaina Norman, and Molly Mason before the game
Republic has won 13 games in a row overall and 16 consecutive COC games dating back to last season. Carl Junction is the last team to beat Republic in league play.
The 20-win season is the third straight for Republic. This is the 19th time in Kris Flood’s 25 seasons as head coach that Republic has won at least 20 games.
Score by Quarters
Willard 10 13 6 4 – 33
Republic 13 16 11 17 – 57
Individual Scoring
Lanney Strong 15, Misora Nambara 11, Lauren Chastain 9, Alex Price 9, Alaina Norman 6, Molly Mason 5, Molly Blades 1, Sammi Watson 1