The Republic Lady Tigers used a swarming defense to force the tempo and run away from Cassville in the district semifinal game Wednesday, 53-37. Courtney Gardner scored 11 points in the first quarter, and Kayce Duvall scored 5, as Republic jumped out to a 16-4 lead after the first period. They continued to pressure Cassville defensively in the second quarter, and turned several turnovers into easy buckets. The Lady Tigers led 32-14 at halftime.
Republic extended the lead to 20 points in the 3rd quarter, but Cassville cut the lead to 12 at one point, behind a strong performance by senior Hannah Elkins. Elkins finished with 17, and kept Cassville in the game until a final run in the 4th quarter sealed the victory for Republic.
Gardner and Duvall each scored 14 points for Republic. Kyra Ramsey had 9, Elle Aston had 6, and Alex Botkin and Sarah Kreul scored 2 apiece. Jayme Sifferman, back from a knee injury, scored 2 points for the Lady Tigers.
Republic moves into the district final, where they’re play the #1 seed, McDonald County. The Lady Tigers improved their record to 11-13. Cassville ends its season at 17-11.