Repmo Romps: Lady Tigers Whip Lakers in Opener

Four new starters. Same old results.

The Lady Tigers picked up where they left off last season, demolishing Camdenton 84-55 in their season opener on the road Tuesday night. Senior Brooke Stanfield had 22 to lead the Republic. Junior Taylor Fergen, making her first varsity start at point guard, scored 15. Jordan Kabetske chipped in 16 points.

* Note: One of Kabetske’s baskets was initially credited to Fergen in the scorebook. The scoring is updated to reflect the change. *

Camdenton stayed close for the first few minutes of the game, and trailed 10-6 midway through the first quarter, but Republic went on a 21-8 run, fueled by their full-court pressure, to stretch the lead by the middle of the second quarter. It was 43-19 at halftime.

“We came out and played decently in the first half, considering we have a lot of new personnel. We’re getting used to one another,” says coach Kris Flood. “I thought we had about as good a first half as we could have had.”

The third quarter got sloppy, but Camdenton was unable to take advantage of numerous Republic turnovers.

“Very sloppy…in the second half, but it is just game one. I just said to the kids, we definitely did not peak in game one. There’s a long way to go,” he says. “A lot has to do with the style of the two teams. Both teams like to press and get after it. It’s some of those things I attribute to a lack of experience, and also some poor decisions with the ball.”

Fergen’s 17 points, while handling the ball up top against Camdenton’s pressure defense, were one bright spot for Republic. She scored 11 of her points in the second half.

“I did not realize she had that many (points),” Flood says. “It was kind of sneaky. I thought she handled herself pretty well for her first game as a variety point guard, really having to step in there to a big spot and fill in for us.”

“Before the game I was telling myself, ‘Don’t be nervous. It’s just a normal game.’ But I was kind of nervous,” she says. “But then once the game started, I was fine.”

Bergen drained a three-pointer to get the Lady Tigers’ offense started early in the first quarter, and settled in from there.

“It helped a lot, because once I made that, I realized this is just like any other game. I just need to calm down and play and have fun. That’s when I do my best,” she says.

Alexis Ludwig was the fourth Lady Tiger to score in double figures. She had 11. Madison Beckham scored six. Baylee Argo added five. Carly Bayans had three, and Allyson Barrett and Madi Appleberry had two apiece.

Republic is 1-0. They travel to St. James Saturday to play Columbia Battle in the 1st Community Bank Shootout. Game time is 5 p.m. Republic Tiger Sports will broadcast the game live, starting about 4:50 at www.republictigersports.com/live.

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