Springfield is once again high school basketball’s grandest stage.
The 2017 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions opened with an estimated crowd north of 7,000 fans at JQH Arena on Thursday night.
Blue chip prospect Marvin Bagley III of Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California) scored 15 points for the Trailblazers in a 72-54 opening round win over Republic. The Tigers (11-3) narrowed the Sierra Canyon (13-1) lead as slim as 34-31 in the second half before the No. 10 team in the USA Today Super 25 Expert rankings ran away with the game.
Bagley acknowledged a Republic defense that gave local teams fits in the 2016 Greenwood Blue and Gold Tournament.