The Republic Tigers have been invited to compete in the 33rd Annual Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in 2017. It will be the second T of C berth for the Tigers, who went 1-2 in their only other appearance in 2005.
Kickapoo will be the Springfield Public Schools representative in next year’s field. Columbia’s Father Tolton, led by top national recruit Michael Porter Junior, will make its first appearance in the tournament.
Other teams are Memphis East (32-2 last year, ranked as high as #11 nationally), Decatur (GA) Greenforest (30-2, ranked as high as #8 nationally), Las Vegas Findlay Prep (28-2, ranked as high as #10 nationally), Chatsworth (CA) Sierra Canyon (26-5, #21 nationally), Montverde, Florida (26-2, #3 nationally).
Republic coach Trevyor Fisher says tournament organizers called a couple of weeks ago to ask if Republic would be interested in playing in the tournament.
“Anytime you get that opportunity, I think you’ve got to take it,” Fisher says. “Obviously the field is loaded, but just the exposure that brings to our program and our community, and the experience for your kids–they were pretty fired up. They chest bumped each other and they were excited. They’re on Cloud 9 right now.”
Fisher says being selected for the tournament is a “huge honor,” and a payoff for the success the program has experienced over the past few years.
Last time Republic competed in the Tournament of Champions, the Tigers battled Milwaukee Rufus King to the wire, losing 60-58 in the first round. They lost their second-round game to Webster Groves, but rebounded to knock off Anchorage (AK) Bartlett 60-44 in the 7th place game.
Fisher says the tournament berth will give the Tigers something to look forward to as the off-season progresses.
“It gives the kids a little extra incentive to work hard this summer and be ready to go,” he says.
The tournament is scheduled for January 12-14, 2017.