All new lineup. Same old Tigers.
Despite replacing all five starters off last year’s team, Trevyor Fisher’s Republic Tigers opened their season with a 58-52 win over Springdale, Ark., Monday. Broc Smith, Republic’s top returning scorer, led the way with 20 points.
For most of the night, the Tigers seemed poised to put some breathing room between them and the Bulldogs, but every time Republic stretched the lead, Springdale would go on a run of its own. The Tigers led 29-23 at halftime, but Springdale closed the gap to 32-31 early in the third quarter. The Tigers stretched the lead to seven points early in the fourth quarter, but Springdale stormed back again. The Bulldogs pulled to within 51-51 with about 2:00 remaining, but Carl Fitch missed a layup that would have given them the lead, and Springdale never got as close again.
The biggest play of the game may have been with a little over a minute remaining and Springdale trailing by one point, trying to force a turnover with a defensive trap. Smith found Jaden Duvall cutting to the basket all alone, hit him in stride with a pass, and Duvall finished, stretching the Tiger lead to five points.
“I was proud of our kids—how we battled and competed and played tough against a team that’s very athletic and quick and causes us some issues with our defense,” says coach Trevyor Fisher. “I was very proud of how we handled ourselves and didn’t panic at times. It was a very good team win.”
Trent Rackley joined Smith in double figures with 15 points. Hunter Creek scored nine. Duvall had five, Drew McMillin and Race Looney scored four each, and Tucker Thomas added one point.
Trentez Scales scored 20 to lead Springdale.
The Tigers are 1-0, and they’ll play in the Republic Invitational semifinals Friday night around 8:30 against the winner of the Rogersville/Siloam Springs, Ark., game. Those two teams play tomorrow night.
During the early game Monday, Rolla beat Heritage, Ark., 63-56. Rolla faces the winner of the Ozark/Belton game Friday night.