By John Miller
Springfield, MO – If the Republic Tigers are going to make a run at a Blue Division championship, their defense will need to carry them. In Tuesday’s quarterfinal game, they did exactly that.
The Blue Division top-seed surrendered just one field goal over the final 25:20 on Tuesday morning in a 53-17 victory over Marshfield in a Blue Division quarterfinal of the Blue and Gold Tournament from JQH Arena.
Republic (7-1) got off to a slow start, causing an early timeout from head coach Trevyor Fisher within the game’s first three minutes. In a quiet arena, everybody in attendance heard Fisher’s motivational talk.
“He told us to wake up, pretty much,” said Republic guard Treydon Rackley, who had 12 points and four rebounds on Tuesday. “We were still kind of half-asleep, just going through the motions, thinking that we could just show up and play well and win.”
The pep talk worked. After playing to a 10-10 tie in the first period, Republic outscored Marshfield 43-7 the rest of the way, holding the Blue Jays to 1-of-18 from the floor.
“We played with more energy and effort,” Fisher said. “I think we were sleepwalking a little in the first quarter. We missed a few shots and kind of hung our heads and weren’t very intense offensively. We let them take it to us. In the second quarter, that changed.”
Republic switched to a half-court trapping defense in the second quarter, forcing the Jays into tough shots and turnovers. Marshfield was 1-of-10 from the floor with four turnovers in the period.
“(I wanted to) wake us up a little bit,” Fisher said of the defensive change. “Get us more energized and moving around a little more. In our normal defense, we don’t get out and deny a whole lot. We’re pretty pack oriented inside the paint. By trapping, it gets us more active and energized. Force a few turnovers and get the game going a little more.”
Broc Smith finished with 13 points and five rebounds to lead the Tigers. Jarrett Paoni had nine points for Marshfield—eight coming in the first quarter. Bo Atkison was the Jays leading rebounder with seven.
Republic shot 53 percent from the floor (19-of-36) and 43 percent from 3-point range (6-of-14).
Eight different players scored for Republic, as Fisher was able to rest some of his starters in the second half in preparation for Wednesday’s Blue Division semifinal.
“Especially with four games in four days, you’d like to spot some minutes to those guys that play a bunch,” Fisher said. “We were able to be successful with that as far as getting Treydon and Ty (Stevens) and those guys some extra rest, so hopefully they’re refreshed and ready to go these next two nights.”
The Tigers are also looking forward to a later tipoff time. After starting at 11 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. each of the last two days, their semifinal tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Wednesday in JQH Arena against Parkview, a team Republic beat 68-50 on December 13.
“The last two days, just being up early and trying to get everyone energized and ready to go,” Fisher said. “I think we’ll be happy to sleep in a little bit (Wednesday) and play at a more normal time.”
Republic 53, Marshfield 17
Republic 10 21 12 10 53
Marshfield 10 3 2 2 17
Republic: Smith 13, Rackley 12, Stevens 9, Geiger 8, Ward 4, Singley 3, Coiner 3, Creek 1
Marshfield: Paoni 9, Hill 3, Atkison 3, Lettterman 2
