By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Republic will have a very different feel this year in head coach Trevyor Fisher’s sixth at the helm.
The Tigers lose all five starters from last year’s 22-5 group that won the COC Large, competed in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions and finished as the Class 5 – District 12 runner-up.
Last year also featured an unblemished home record, as well as Republic Tournament and Blue and Gold Tournament titles.
“It was one of the most enjoyable group of kids that I have been around,” said Fisher of last year’s team. “They all got along and bought in to the what we were trying to accomplish as a team. They were the first group that I got to see develop through junior high and all the way up the high school ranks.
“They accomplished so many great things during their careers and we will definitely miss them both on and off the court.”
On paper it seems like Republic should be in complete rebuild mode, but that isn’t likely to be the case.
The Tigers will reload behind a talented group, led by 6-foot-3 wing Broc Smith.
Smith was one of the team’s most explosive scorers last year and will look to take on a leadership role after an impressive summer with the Springfield Hawks.
“Broc is a very hard working individual that is a gym rat. He has great size that can play both inside and out,” said Fisher. “He is a very good shooter and has really worked on his footwork and athleticism in the offseason. I look for him to have a breakout season and feel like he has just touched the surface with how good he can be.”
Seniors Hunter Creek and Dylan Brown will not only provide stability and leadership, but Fisher believes both guards have the ability to facilitate offense while also providing quality perimeter defense.
Junior Trent Rackley, younger brother of All-COC guard Treydon Rackley, will be looked upon to provide a scoring punch with his ability to shoot the basketball.
Fisher also believes sophomores Tucker Thomas and Race Looney will provide valuable minutes, with Thomas being an athletic finisher at the rim and Looney providing backcourt depth.
Republic has won at least 20 games in four of Fisher’s five seasons, becoming one of Missouri’s most accomplished programs in that time.
While the Tigers will need to establish new roles and find their identity, the tradition of Republic Basketball didn’t graduate and Fisher, as well as his new-look roster, is eager to continue Republic’s winning ways.
“I think our kids now have grown up watching from those guys in the past and have taken note on how they have handled themselves,” said Fisher. “They realized we have been successful over the last five years and take pride in continuing that tradition. They still have to realize that it will take a lot of hard work and nobody will roll over for us just because of past successes.
“We may struggle at times but we hope to be competitive each night and contend in the tough COC and our district.”
