By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Expectations are high in Republic this season.
The Tigers return four starters and plenty of depth from a team that went 17-8 last season, falling to Joplin in the district semifinal.
Reloaded Republic also welcomes a new coach, as Tim Brown takes over the helm.
Brown spent the past seven seasons at Fair Grove.
The Tigers say goodbye to one graduated senior in point guard Hunter Creek.
“Hunter was a quick, tough guard that played with a lot of energy,” Brown said, “He was a really good defender and made plays for his teammates.”
Led by 6-foot-4 senior Broc Smith (19.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg), Republic returns a core group loaded with talent and experience. Smith has committed to Drury University next season.
“Broc has the ability to score the basketball in a variety of ways and his size and skill set make him a tough match-up,” Brown said. “We will need him to be a senior leader for our basketball team and set the standard on both ends of the floor.”
Smith could also reach the 1,000-point milestone this season.
Smith is joined by 6-foot-2 senior Trent Rackley (8ppg, 2.8 rpg), 6-foot-3 junior Tucker Thomas (7 ppg, 4 rpg), 5-foot-10 senior Jaden Duvall (2.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.2 apg), 5-foot-10 junior Race Looney (4.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.6 apg), 5-foot-9 sophomore Drew McMillen (4.9 ppg), 6-foot-1 senior Cole Buxton and 5-foot-10 senior Jacob Coday.
While Republic’s roster features both experience and depth, Brown believes competition could produce a surprise newcomer or two to the varsity squad.
“We have a very talented junior class and underclassmen that have had success at the JV level that could be in the mix for playing time at the varsity level,” Brown said.
For Republic to be successful and challenge for a postseason run, its defense must set the tone early on in the season. While Brown realizes adjusting to a new coach can be difficult, he believes the standards will remain high.
“Our team’s biggest strength is our team’s experience as we have four starters back and many players that contributed at the varsity level last year,” Brown said. “We have guys that know our program’s culture is built on the defensive end and know the expectations of our program.”
Brown also welcomes the challenges presented by a difficult schedule including games within the Central Ozark Conference.
“As always the COC will be battle every single night,” Brown said. “It is a great conference with elite programs that have good coaches and players and a lot of history and tradition. It will be important for us to be prepared and play with great effort on both ends of the floor each and every single night.”
Following a Nov. 15 jamboree with Rogersville, Nixa and Parkview, Republic tips off its season Nov. 29 with the 54th Annual Republic Invitational Tournament.
