C1D2 BKB: '6th starter' may be boost Rebels need in defending title

Even though Richland (Essex) is the defending champion in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 2 Boy’s Basketball Tournament, the Rebels have won 20 games this season, and the event is being played on their home court, Richland (Essex) is NOT the top seed this time around; Risco is. So, the Rebels are going to have to utilize every advantage that they can muster in order to win back-to-back titles, and fifth-year coach Matt Cline just might have something up his sleeve.

“Right now,” Cline said, “I have six starters.”

That will help.

The No. 2 seed Rebels (20-7) will face No. 3 seed Scott County Central (13-14) in a semifinal tonight at 7:15 p.m. and if they hope to advance to Saturday’s title game, Cline’s team will need a solid night out of his “sixth starter,” senior forward Jaden Pope.

“I can use him to match up when we need more size,” Cline said of how he uses Pope.

Pope was a three-year starter entering this season, and that same role appeared to be assured early on this year. However, he injured his knee, and “he was off for a while and it was tough for him to get back into shape,” according to Cline.

Rebel sophomore Hayden Conner, who brings “more defensive speed,” according to his coach, was inserted into the starting lineup, and remained there, even after Pope returned to health.

“He has taken that like a champ,” Cline said. “At the beginning of the year, he was fighting (for a starting spot) right there. He started out starting for us.”

Coming off the bench hasn’t diminished Pope’s importance, however. He brings strength in the paint and great rebounding when he is in the game, which was very evident early in the Rebels’ recent overtime win at Bernie.

“I’ve had coaches mention this to me,” Cline said, “he very well could have been a problem after starting. But instead, he has accepted his role that he has, and now he has played himself back into shape.”

Getting past the Braves, who knocked off Delta 73-68 on Tuesday in the opening round, is no guarantee. However, if Richland (Essex) does advance to Saturday, Pope’s work inside will absolutely be needed against a Risco squad (if the Tigers advance), that rebounds with abandon.

“We’ve paid attention and put in time on that,” veteran Tiger coach Brandon Blankenship said of his team’s effort on the offensive glass. “You always talk about it, but sometimes, it is what you prioritize.

“The guys know that they need to do that.”

Richland (Essex) beat Scott County Central 80-55 to open its season in November and also got past the Braves 79-70 earlier this month at Scott County Central. However, Cline’s group fell to Risco 79-69 in Risco earlier this month.