Tigers whip KC Northeast in Shootout

Joe Rexroat exploded for 18 first-half points and finished with a career-high 21 to lead Republic to an easy win over Kansas City Northeast in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Basketball Classics shootout, 72-45.
The teams played in the large arena at Baptist Bible College in Springfield in front of a relatively small crowd, which required the Tigers to bring their own energy to the outing.
“That was a big emphasis for us, was coming in and creating our own energy. I felt like our bench did a pretty good job of clapping and staying in the game,”
Rexroat said. Coach Tim Brown said
he knew it might be a chal- lenging environment for the Tigers.
“Playing in these shoot- outs sometimes, it’s a different setup than what we’re accustomed to and you just never know what type of en- ergy and effort you’re going to come out with,” Brown said. “And I thought we had a pretty decent start. I thought there was some letdown once we ... were able to get a little lead, but overall our guys came out and took care of business and it’s a good start to the new year.”
Republic led 21-8 after
one quarter and 40-20 at halftime. It was 57-30 after three, even with most of the starters already on the bench.
Nine different players scored for the Tigers, with Rexroat and Thomas finish- ing in double figures.
Republic is 7-4. The Tigers will visit The Pit at Springfield Central next Tuesday.
Republic Scoring: Joe Rexroat 21, Tucker Thomas 16, Trevor Porter 7, Nate Woolford 7, Ahlante Askew 6, Will Berry 5, Drew McMil- lin 4, Race Looney 4, Carson Neff 2