Tigers Win Back-and-Forth Battle to Win Liberator Tournament

Republic won the Bolivar Liberator Tournament championship Saturday with a 53–47 victory over host Bolivar, completing the title run after a one-point win over Helias the night before. The championship game played out the way Republic–Bolivar games often do in this gym — tight, physical, and decided by execution late. The teams combined for 10 lead changes and six ties, and neither side led by more than seven points.

Box Score

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Republic set the early tone with an 8–0 run in the first quarter, sparked by Brody Blades and Keiran Govan, before Bolivar answered behind Wyatt Campbell. Campbell scored all 12 of Bolivar’s first-quarter points, including a pair of three-pointers that erased Republic’s early surge and tied the game at 12 after one.

The momentum continued to swing in the second quarter. Bolivar briefly took control behind Matthew Giglio, but Republic steadied itself with patient possessions and timely shot-making. Blades hit two three-pointers in the period, including one late in the quarter, to help Republic carry a 26–25 lead into halftime.

Bolivar seized momentum early in the third quarter with a 6–0 run to open the half, pushing its lead to 31–26. Republic responded with a stretch that reflected its approach all night — Govan scored on consecutive possessions inside, Slater Howard knocked down a three to tie the game, and Blades followed with another three to swing momentum back to the Tigers.

The fourth quarter mirrored the rest of the game. Bolivar tied it at 38 and again at 41, but Republic answered each time. Blades scored five straight points midway through the quarter, and Govan added a pair of baskets in the closing minutes to push the lead to six.

Bolivar had one final surge, cutting the lead to four on a Giglio three, but Republic closed the game at the free-throw line. Trenten Coleman hit two late free throws to seal it.

Blades led Republic with 22 points, including five three pointers. Govan finished with 16 points, finishing in the paint during key stretches. He made two field goals in each quarter and didn’t miss from the floor until late in the game.

Republic shot 20-of-44 from the field, including six three-pointers, and went 7-of-11 at the free-throw line. Bolivar finished with eight three-pointers, four from Campbell, who led the Liberators with 17 points.

Afterward, Republic coach Tim Brown pointed to the environment and the give-and-take nature of the rivalry.

“It sounded like a typical Republic Bolivar basketball game in this gym, and that’s why we were excited to get a chance to play the host school on their home court,” Brown said. “It just creates such a great atmosphere and environment… each team made great plays and went through adversity and went through highs and lows and we were able to say in this one, we made more plays than they did at the end.”

Blades had to work for his 22 points, fighting through double-teams and help defense with continuous movement away from the ball.

“It was a hard 22,” Brown said. “Our guys did a really good job of screening for him and we had long possessions and we didn’t get bored on those possessions, and we were able to still execute with some late-clock situations.”

On the rivalry itself, Brown—close friends with Bolivar coach Robby Hoegh—emphasized respect over emotion.

“Our programs bring the best out of each other,” Brown said. “I think fans got to watch a good game… both programs do things the right way and are about the right things and get the most out of their kids each night, and I think tonight was a testament to that for both programs.”

Republic last won the Liberator Tournament in 2023, defeating Thayer for the championship.

The Republic JV squad also won its bracket, defeating Central on Saturday to win the championship.