By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
With district championships in nine of the last 11 years, not many programs can boast the kind of success that Republic has sustained.
Entering Kris Flood’s 25th season at Republic, 22 of which he has served as head coach, the Lady Tigers are poised for yet another 20-win season and potentially a long March with three starters returning from last year’s 20-10 group.
Kaemyn Bekemeier, Jazzy Kirby and Savanah Powell-Goodman are names that Republic fans and COC foes are familiar with.
Bekemeierer is quickly becoming one of the state’s top players in the 2023 class. The 5-foot-9 sophomore currently holds offers from Grand Canyon, Missouri State and St. Louis.
She averaged 15.3 points and five rebounds as a freshman.
“Kaemyn is one of those players that is gifted with some many skills,” said Flood. “What makes her special is that she is so skilled at different spots. She handles the ball well, has good shooting range, but she is also strong for her age which helps her to go in the post if we need her to. It doesn’t hurt that she is very coachable.”
Not many guards in the area have played in as many big games as Kirby and Powell-Goodman. Kirby was an All-COC pick last year, averaging 8.4 points. Powell-Goodman added 8.2 points and 2.8 rebounds.
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Both will again be counted on for their toughness and leadership.
“Jazzy had to step into a different role last year with the injury to Fronabarger, but she handled it in stride,” said Flood. “She played well the year before last and I believe this gave her a lot of confidence heading into the season last year. Jazzy has a good basketball IQ which helps her and our team.
“Savanah can score in spurts. She’s a good outside shooter but also defends well. She’s gained plenty of experience the last two years.”
Kaitlyn Ragsdale saw varsity minutes last year and will look to again give Republic another perimeter scoring threat, as well as a versatile defender.
Regan Holmes and Chloe Burton, as well as Cameron Gardner, will also provide backcourt depth and look to push for rotational minutes. Flood loves their defensive ability.
Republic won’t have a ton of size, but much of it will come in the form of Ashlyn Leonard and Eternity Knotts. Leonard is a great paint presence on both ends of the floor, while Knotts also has the ability to step out to the perimeter on either end.
Republic has been to the Final Four twice during this incredible run, including a state championship in 2012.
Many in the program now were there for the 2019 Final Four.
While the COC and girls basketball overall is loaded in the Ozarks, the Lady Tigers, as always, will have their sights set on competing deep into March. Despite pockets of inexperience, this group is as equipped as any to turn that dream into a reality.
“They will be hungry to get another shot at the Final Four,” said Flood. “Some had the experience of the 2018-19 run and the new ones I believe realize how close we were last year and know what it takes to reach that goal.
“For us to be competitive we will need to keep doing little things. Play solid on defense, take care of the ball, and just focus on what we need to do to win games. We have a group that gets along with each other and a joy to coach. Hopefully we can stay healthy (especially this year) and if we do have some players that need to miss time we feel confident that someone else can step up.”
Republic will open the 2020-21 season on Dec. 8 at home against Springdale Har-Ber (Ark.).
