Republic Lady Tigers bounce back with two COC wins

Win against state-ranked Ozark primes the pump as districts begin Saturday, Republic seeded third
 
Republic suffered a disappointing league loss to start the week, but rebounded with two wins, including a signature statement against state-ranked Ozark on Senior Night Monday.

Nixa 84, Republic 76

Republic couldn’t find an answer for Nixa’s transition game during a Central Ozark Conference showdown, losing 84-76 on the road to begin last week. The Lady Eagles made six layups on fast breaks in the first half alone and had five players in double-figure scoring. The win helped Nixa get the inside track to a league championship. Nixa eventually finished up the COC season without a loss to earn the title. Kaemyn Bekemeier had 37 points in a losing cause for Republic. Hope Schatz had three more three-pointers and finished with 13 points. She made her first two shots of the night, and one of those shots was a three-pointer. Dating back to her 8-for-8 game against Joplin, that gave Schatz nine consecutive three-pointers made.

Republic 54, Webb City 42

Republic fought off upset-minded Webb City at home Saturday, building an 18-point lead before resisting the Cardinals’ comeback effort to win 54-42. Webb City cut the lead to six points in the second half, but the Lady Tigers scored the last six points of the game to lock up the victory.

Kaemyn Bekemeier finished with 27 points to lead Republic. She was the only Lady Tiger in double figures.

Republic 64, Ozark 34

Republic’s defense smothered state-ranked Ozark in a 64-34 win at home on Senior Night. Republic allowed just five points over a 16-minute stretch that began late in the first quarter, outscoring Ozark 44-5 during that time.

Republic missed its first six three-point attempts and Ozark built an 8-2 lead, but that didn’t last long. Republic followed up the slow start by making six three-pointers in a row, finishing the first half six-for-12 from beyond the arc. Republic finished with nine three-pointers, including four by Hope Schatz.

Schatz finished with 18 points. Kaemyn Bekemeier led Republic with 21. Miha Nambara, one of Republic’s two seniors, also finished in double figures with 11 points.

Before the game, Republic honored Nambara and Eternity Knotts on Senior Night.

"They're just tremendous kids. They're good student athletes, and they've really accepted ... their roles," coach Kris Flood said. "It's hard to ride out four years. It takes a lot of commitment… They’ve got a tremendous future.”

Republic, ranked 8th in the latest Class 6 state coaches poll, delivered a message with its trouncing of #7 Ozark. Republic had beaten several state-ranked teams this season, but none in Class 6 until Monday night. Ozark, Nixa, and Kickapoo, all ranked, are in Republic’s district. Among the top four seeds, Ozark has beaten Kickapoo, Kickapoo has beaten Nixa and Republic, Nixa has beaten Republic and Ozark, and Republic has beaten Ozark.

The district tournament begins Saturday. Republic, seeded third, opens with Lebanon.