With several players fresh off the football field, Republic’s season opener doubled as a dress rehearsal for a lineup that’s still finding its footing. But the Tigers survived their limited practice time — and a late six-point deficit — to defeat Capital City 50-47 Tuesday in the Republic Invitational Tournament.”
Brenley Hagewood scored 23 points, including 15 in the first half, to lead Republic (1-0). The Tigers used an 11-2 run to build an early second-quarter lead before Capital City answered with an identical run after Hagewood’s second foul sent him to the bench.
Republic led 25-22 at halftime before Capital City outscored the Tigers 14-12 in the third quarter to cut the lead to 37-36. The Cavaliers opened the fourth quarter with a run that put them ahead by six with four minutes remaining, but Republic rallied down the stretch for the win.
“It was really our first time to go live running all of our stuff,” coach Tim Brown said. “As ugly as it was at times, I congratulated them on finding a way to win. Maybe the ugliest win in the last seven years that we’ve had, but I said it sure beats the ugliest loss that we could have.”
Keiran Govan was Republic’s other double-figures scorer with 11 points for Republic.Grady Payton led Capital City (0-1) with 19 points.
Republic faces Rolla in Friday’s 7 p.m. semifinal. Capital City meets Park Hill South in the consolation semifinals Friday at 5:30.
Score by quarters:
Capital City – 9 13 14 11 — 47
Republic – 11 14 12 13 — 50
Capital City scoring: Grady Payton 19, Francis Samuel 14, Jaden Bauman 6, Jayvion Hunter 5, Corbin Lawson 3.
Republic scoring: Brenley Hagewood 23, Keiran Govan 11, CJ Uhl 7, Brody Blades 5, Ryder Davis 2, Davin Parks 2.
