Tigers light up scoreboard from long range in win over Branson

Lady Tigers drop three at Stephanie Phillips
Republic connected on 15 three-pointers—the second-most in program history—to defeat Branson 75–69 Friday night. Brody Blades hit eight threes and finished with a career-high 28 points to lead the Tigers on their home floor.
Brenley Hagewood, who had dominated scoring through Republic’s first three games, added 19 points, including 14 in the second half. He made four three-pointers. The teams traded the lead six times in the first half before Republic took a 30–28 advantage just before halftime.
Ryder Davis sparked a key second-half sequence after Branson had cut Republic’s lead to 49–46. Davis knocked down a three-pointer, took a charge on the defensive end, then hit another three to push Republic’s lead to 55–46. He finished with 11 points and three three-pointers.
Davin Parks added 12 points for Republic. Keiran Govan scored three points but repeatedly broke down Branson’s defense to set up open teammates.
“We have a slogan around here: ‘Be happy for your brother on his birthday.’ And Brody had a big birthday today and his teammates were happy for him,” coach Tim Brown said. “We had a lot of guys that just showed maturity. We talked about (Branson’s) junk defense probably being in the forecast, and they did that, and we got great looks early. It just took a while to get the rhythm of the kind of shots that we needed.”
Jayce Culver led Branson with 23 points and Brody Gillespie added 16.

Republic’s inexperienced girls basketball team struggled to find its offensive rhythm during three losses at the Stephanie Phillips Classic in Springfield. The Lady Tigers fell to three powerhouse teams—Fair Grove, Kickapoo and Strafford—to start their season 0–4.
Fair Grove held Republic to a single free throw in the first quarter on the way to a 47–29 win Thursday. The Lady Tigers didn’t score their first field goal until nearly 10 minutes into the game.
“Offensively, we struggled tonight against an athletic team. We let the pressure get to us,” said Republic coach Tori Mooneyham. “I think it was an example of kids out there with no experience and having to handle that pressure, and I think we kind of panicked and didn’t know how to handle it.”
Republic’s defense kept them within 12 points at halftime, but Fair Grove pulled away in the third quarter. Lanney Strong led Republic with eight points.
Against Kickapoo Friday, the Lady Chiefs jumped to a 20–6 first-quarter lead and controlled the game throughout in a 55–34 victory. Cora Cutbirth scored 10 points to lead Republic.
Saturday, Republic fell behind early again in a 63–36 loss to Strafford. The Lady Tigers trailed 5–3 midway through the first quarter before Strafford scored 12 straight points to take control. Strong led Republic with 12 points.
“I think we looked a little better second half. It’s just a matter of some of them getting confidence in themselves and not letting the pressure get to them,” Mooneyham said after the opening loss.