Willard turned the tables on Republic in the Blue & Gold Tournament semifinals, using a stifling defensive effort in the second quarter to build a lead and holding off a late charge to win 57–49. The victory ends Republic’s chance to defend its championship from last season, and it flips the result from last year’s semifinals, when Republic had beaten Willard by 35 points.
AJ Uhl led Republic with a game-high 24 points, but the Tigers could not overcome a cold stretch in the first half.
Republic took an 11–10 lead after one quarter, behind seven points from Uhl. But the Tigers’ offense stalled in the second period, managing just four points. Willard took advantage, outscoring Republic 15–4 in the quarter to build a 25–15 halftime lead. Uzziah Huskisson and Nahmy Kelly combined for 10 points in the second quarter to fuel the Willard run.
In the second half, the game opened up. Republic scored 19 points in the third quarter, with Uhl accounting for 10 of them. However, Willard matched Republic nearly basket for basket, scoring 18 points in the period to carry a 43–33 lead into the fourth.
Republic made its final push in the fourth quarter. The Tigers whittled the lead down, culminating in a sequence by Keiran Govan. Govan stole the ball and finished with a dunk to cut the deficit to 49–46.
But Willard responded immediately, rattling off six unanswered points—four from Kelly and two from Huskisson—to push the lead back to nine and put the game out of reach.
Huskisson led Willard with 22 points, while Kelly added 19.
Brody Blades joined Uhl in double figures with 10 points, and Jin Villasica added eight.
Republic falls to 6-2 and will play Glendale for third place tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Great Southern Bank Arena.
Score by quarters
Republic 11 4 19 15 — 49
Willard 10 15 18 14 — 57
Individual scoring
AJ Uhl 24, Brody Blades 10, Jin Villasica 8, Keiran Govan 7.
Get every story delivered.
Tiger Wire — Republic sports news, free every morning.