By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
One of the staples of Republic athletics gets a chance to run the highly successful program she helped develop.
Tori Mooneyham, who has been an assistant coach at Republic for over two decades, takes over as girls’ basketball head coach for retired Hall of Fame coach Kris Flood.
Orange and Black pride has always flowed through Mooneyham’s veins.
“This season is definitely a change after being the JV coach for 25 years but for me it’s still the same game, just a higher level,” said Mooneyham, who also played for Republic during her high school career. “Obviously, there will be more stress and pressure at this level, but I plan on coaching like I have always coached.
“Coach Flood and I worked very well together. It will definitely be different without him beside me, but I am very excited to take on this new role.”
In regards to coaching style, Mooneyham plans on implementing some of her own tweaks while retaining Republic’s core principles.
“I am not here to fix what isn’t broken, but I think any time you get a new coach you need to bring some new ideas to the program to get your team excited to play for you,” Mooneyham said. “We will implement some new stuff while still using some of Coach Flood’s system to try to compete in the toughest conference and district in the state.”
In her first season as a varsity head coach, Mooneyham takes over a Republic squad that will field a brand-new lineup.
Seven players, including all five starters, graduated.
Senior guard Lanney Strong (6.9 points per game), a key reserve last season, is Republic’s lone returning full-time varsity player. She was honorable mention all-conference last season.
Strong is a gym rat who brings needed stability to a young team.
“With Lanney being our only returner from last season, I have high expectations for her,” Mooneyham said. “Lanney will be the team leader as well as one of our top scoring threats.
“She is one of those players that you cannot get out of the gym. I hope to see all her hard work pay off her senior year.”
Help is on the way, as many players from last season’s JV squad move up to the varsity level.
Guards Kaylee Cornelsen and Sammi Watson, along with forward Annabelle Gerhardt-Hobbs, round out Republic’s expected senior class.
“Kaylee is a player that does everything that you ask of her. She does the little things that make a huge difference. Her defense will be a huge asset,” Mooneyham said. “Sammi is good at attacking the basket and creating her own shots. She has a nose for the ball and is an overall balanced player.”
Gerhardt-Hobbs will patrol the post area.
“She is a strong player who will stay in the paint,” Mooneyham said. “She rebounds well and does a great job creating shots for her guards.”
Juniors Awbree Berning and Addie Brown are guards who can contribute with scoring and playmaking.
“Awbree can help us with handling the ball. We’ll also need her to be an outside (shooting) threat,” Mooneyham said. “Addie is a versatile player who can play guard or in the paint when needed. She could cause matchup problems for some teams.”
Three sophomores will also factor into the varsity rotations.
Paelyn Gilmore and Charlie Hagewood give Republic additional options in the backcourt.
“Paelyn handles the ball well, can shoot from the outside and is a great defender,” Mooneyham said. “Charlie is another shooting guard who will provide us with some quickness and depth.”
Cora Cutbirth, a forward, is one of the best athletes on the team and could be poised for a big season.
“She’s extremely athletic, versatile and can play on the inside or perimeter,” Mooneyham said.
Effort and winning in the margins will be vital to Republic’s success this season.
“We may not be the biggest team, but our effort and how hard we play will be a strength of ours,” Mooneyham said. “I have coached these girls now for several years on JV. They know the expectations already and I have full confidence that this team will buy into what will help us be successful.”
Misora Nambara (Culver-Stockton), Lauren Chastain (Lincoln Land Community College), Alaina Norman (Missouri Southern Track and Field), Molly Blades and Alex Price are gone from a starting lineup that led the Lady Tigers to a 23-5 record last season.
Reserves Molly Mason (Lyon) and Gracie Woods also graduated. Republic’s 2024 senior class was a large reason why the Lady Tigers averaged 23 wins per season over the past three seasons.
While there’s a lot to be determined, the Lady Tigers want to uphold the program standards no matter who’s on the floor.
Over the past 25 years, Republic has filled its girls’ basketball trophy case with conference (9), district (15) and state (2) titles.
“There have always been high expectations for Republic Lady Tiger Basketball, so those expectations will be the same,” Mooneyham said. “For this group to have success, we must be very disciplined with doing the little things, out-work our opponents and play as a team.
“A big focus for us this year will be to control the things we can control in order to change the game.”
Republic will play in a jamboree at Rogersville on Nov. 19. The Lady Tigers open the regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at El Dorado Springs.
