C3D1 BKB: Malden rallies for revenge over East Prairie

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Malden and East Prairie waged a thrilling battle in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Semifinal matchup on Thursday, Feb. 22.

But in the end, the second-seeded Green Wave (21-5) emerged victorious with a 60-49 win over the third-seeded Eagles (21-7), avenging a recent loss and settling this season's rivalry in the process.

"We needed to come out and just play hard and aggressive," said Malden coach Mike Kilgore. "They beat us pretty bad at their place, and we wanted to make sure we put an exclamation point on this one. We went back to the same game plan we had earlier in the season – going to zone defense, shutting down the middle, watching the low-post."

Malden's Quamareous Farmer (22) passes during a 60-49 win over East Prairie in a semifinal of the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Tournament at Portageville High School on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

East Prairie came out strong, with Connor Marcum sparking an early 10-2 run that included free throws from Noah Johnson, a nifty up-and-under finish from Kamron Farmer, and another transition finish from Marcum.

The Eagles closed the period up 17-8 after a 3-pointer by Ty Wallace and a steal and finish by Farmer.

Despite trailing by 14 points early in the second quarter, but Malden rallied with strong performances by Payton Woodard, Marcus Burton, and Tristin Moncrief, and the Green Wave trailed 26-24. at halftime.

Malden's Marcus Burton (31) defends East Prairie's Ty Wallace (1) during a 60-49 win in a semifinal of the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Tournament at Portageville High School on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Marcum opened the second half with a 3-pointer to give East Prairie a 29-24 advantage, but a quick inside bucket from Malden's Burton and a 3-pointer from Quamareous Farmer tied it 29-29.

The teams traded the lead multiple times in a tense third quarter.

Malden gained their first lead of the game on a free throw by Burton with 3:41 left in the third quarter.

East Prairie's Kamron Farmer (3) scores during a 60-49 loss to Malden in a semifinal of the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Tournament at Portageville High School on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Woodard made another tough shot to give the Green Wave a 40-39 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Farmer gave the Eagles their final lead of the game after converting a steal into an easy layup, but Malden took the lead back for good on a floater in the lane from Woodard with 4:40 left in the game.

"We struggled offensively," said East Prairie coach Gary Scott. "Malden’s zone slowed us down, [we] couldn’t get anything going from the perimeter. We lost momentum and never gained it back."

Woodard and Burton led Malden with 18 points each, while Moncrief added 10.

East Prairie's scoring was balanced, with Farmer (13), Wallace (12), Marcum (10), and Johnson (10) all reaching double figures.

Malden now faces an imposing challenge in the district championship game on Saturday at 7 p.m. when they take on Class 3, No. 1 ranked and top-seeded New Madrid County Central (23-3).

“We just have to understand we are playing one of the top teams in America,” Kilgore said. “It’s almost like a state championship for us. We have to match their energy or take the punches that hand out.”

__MALDEN 60, EAST PRAIRIE 49__

E. Prairie 17 9 13 10 — 49

Malden 8 16 16 20 — 60

East Prairie (49) — Kamron Farmer 13, Ty Wallace 12, Connor Marcum 10, Noah Johnson 10, Evan Kenedy 4. FG: 21. FT: 4-7. F: 11. (3-pointers: Wallace 2, Farmer 1. Fouled out: None.)

Malden (60) — Payton Woodard 18, Marcus Burton 18, Tristin Moncrief 10, Quamareous Farmer 8, Trey Miller 3, Tylyne Mathies 2. FG: 27. FT: 4-10. F: 9. (3-pointers: Miller 1. Fouled out: None.)