C1D2 BKB: Rebels top Risco with toughness for 2nd straight District title

ESSEX – To start this month, the Richland (Essex) boy’s basketball squad dropped three of four games, including a 10-point loss at Risco, and fifth-year Rebel coach Matt Cline was none too pleased with how his team was trending.

“I really haven’t liked the way that we rebounded,” Cline said following that stretch.

He’s not so worried now.

The Rebels methodically pulled away from Risco on Saturday for a 74-62 win in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 2 championship game at Richland (Essex) High School, and Cline was emphatic on how his team did that.

“Rebounding,” Cline said.

That was certainly a key to the victory, as were several other factors, including length, balanced offense, and the Rebels outshooting Risco 27-7 from the free throw line, as they continually attacked the Tiger defenders off the bounce.

“Richland just outplayed us,” veteran Risco coach Branden Blankenship said. “You just have to tip your cap to them on a day like today.”

The Tigers made continued runs at the Rebels (22-7) after falling behind early, but never seemed to be able to quite catch up.

“Once they established the lead,” Blankenship said, “it seemed like every time we tried to make a little run, they would hit some big buckets.”

And they seemingly came from every Rebel.

Richland (Essex) had four players in double figures, including 10 from sophomore guard Hayden Conner.

“Hayden is our sparkplug,” Cline said. “He’s an athlete. He’s a great kid and a great competitor.”

Sophomore forward Gary Tilley paced Richland (Essex) but in an unusual way.

Tilley is known for his daggers from 3-point range but scored a team-leading 21 points on drives and by hitting 6 of 6 from the free-throw line. He tallied just one 3-pointer in the game.

With Risco having to foul late, the Rebels hit 11 of 13 free throws in the final period, with junior guard Hunter Sanders nailing all six of his free throws in the final quarter and 8 of 10 for the game.

“Richland was the tougher team today,” Blankenship said. “We’re tough, but today, it just worked out for them.

“They got some more rebounds, probably got some more loose balls and they just had guys who put the ball in the hole.”

Sanders totaled 15 points and junior forward Eric Williams had 16 points.

Surprisingly, the Rebels prevailed with just eight points from 6-foot-3 junior Tucker Hughes, who was in and out of the lineup early after taking a hard fall.

“You’ve got two, I think, of the better (Class 1) teams in the state in the same District,” Cline said. “(The players) have been focused on this game. Don’t get me wrong, we haven’t overlooked anybody, but they have known since Halloween that this game was coming.”

Following that poor stretch of play this month, Richland (Essex) has rolled off five consecutive wins and will host Clarkton (10-18) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the MSHSAA Class 1 Sectional 1.

The Reindeer won their third straight District title by beating Cooter 54-45 on Saturday. The Rebels topped Clarkton in Clarkton just four weeks ago 60-49.

Richland (Essex) had its season a year ago ended in the Sectional by the Reindeer 47-44.

Risco closed out a phenomenal 23-5 season by getting 33 points from junior guard Sammy Smith.

“He can put us on his back at times,” Blankenship said of the 6-foot-3 scorer. “He is our leader on the court.”