C3D1 BKB: NMCC rolls to fourth straight district championship

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — New Madrid County Central proved once again that its talent is simply on another level with an 86-56 win over Malden in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Fueled by the star power of Jadis Jones and BJ Williamson, the top-ranked Eagles (24-3) cruised the victory over the Green Wave (21-6), taking another step on their quest to defend their state title.

“Malden came out with a good gameplan,” said NMCC coach Dontre Jenkins. “They fought when we took some uncharacteristic shots and turned the ball over. The message at halftime was to stick to what we do. we came out confident. I told them that the first three minutes were going to dictate how the rest of the game went, and they picked up the defensive intensity.”

NMCC's BJ Williamson (5) shoots during an 86-56 win over Malden in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Championship at Portageville on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

For Jenkins, the victory held even more significance. He won his first district championship as a player at Portageville, and now, he's earned his first district championship as a head coach on the same court.

“These guys got it done for me,” he added.

The Eagles established their dominance from the opening tip-off with Jones and Williamson leading the charge. Meanwhile, NMCC's relentless attack on the paint forced Malden into early foul trouble, allowing the Eagles to build a 21-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

NMCC celebrates during an 86-56 win over Malden in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Championship at Portageville on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“That was the gameplan [to attack the paint],” Jenkins said. “We knew we’d be in good shape if we consistently did that.”

NMCC maintained its comfortable advantage through most of the second quarter until a late surge by Malden.

Quamareous Farmer started the rally with a highlight-reel block and coast-to-coast layup. He followed it up with a clutch 3-pointer, and Tahjai Smith's offensive rebound and putback cut the deficit to just four points heading into halftime

NMCC's Jadis Jones (10) drives during an 86-56 win over Malden in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Championship at Portageville on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“I told my guys that we’ve been here before,” Jenkins said. “[Malden] was happy and excited.

We knew we had to stay the course.”

But any momentum Malden had gained was crushed in the third quarter.

NMCC coach Dontre Jenkins celebrates during an 86-56 win over Malden in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Championship at Portageville on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2024. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Jones pushed the lead back to double digits with free throws, setting the stage for the game's defining moment. Williamson unleashed a perfectly timed bounce pass high off the backboard, which Jones slammed home with authority – a signature alley-oop that showcased the duo's incredible chemistry and athleticism.

“It was a momentum swing,” Jenkins said. “It got the crowd into and our guys feed off that. The defense just continued to pick up after that with guys flying all over the floor, getting steals and forcing turnovers.”

The play was like a power-up straight out of a video game.

Jones's dunk supercharged the Eagles, and Williamson capitalized on the momentum surge, nailing back-to-back threes to propel NMCC's lead to 65-42.

“Williamson kept his composure,” Jenkins said. “When he was on the bench in the first half, he stepped up and was a leader. He was coaching from the sideline, staying in the game and when he got back in, those shots started falling for him.”

The Eagles never looked back, ultimately invoking the 30-point mercy rule in the fourth quarter. Jones and Williamson led the scoring with 25 points apiece. Jones also flirted with a rare quadruple-double, adding eight rebounds, eight steals and seven assists.

“[Jones] played his game,” Jenkins said. “Even when he's got three or four defenders on him, he finds a way to score or set his teammates up. He has every reason to focus on his own stats, but he's a true team player, and his teammates love that about him."

Ra'Mond Brooks (14 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks) and AJ Ruff (12 points, six assists, three steals) also reached double figures. Marvion Cranford (nine rebounds, seven points) and Ryleigh Hardin (late three-pointer) made key contributions as well.

“Those are glue guys,” Jenkins said. “[Ruff] does most of the ball handling for us and I’ve been on him all year about taking the open shot and being aggressive. [Cranford and Brooks] were strong with their rebounding and finishing. They both had good games in the semifinals and we saw that carry over tonight.”

NMCC's dominance extended beyond the scoreboard. The Eagles shot a blistering 57 percent from the field compared to Malden's 37 percent and controlled the boards with a 34-26 rebounding edge. They also forced 19 Malden turnovers while committing only nine.

NMCC will travel to Charleston (14-14) in the sectional round of the Class 3 State Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

“We will enjoy this tonight and it’s back to the drawing board tomorrow,” Jenkins said. “Charleston is a tough environment to play in. They’re going to be up, the fans will be up. It’s going to be super loud in that gym. We have to stick to what we know and be mentally tough. “

__NMCC 86, MALDEN 56__

Malden 11 17 16 12 — 56

NMCC 21 11 36 18 — 86

Malden (56) — Quamareous Farmer 23, Tristin Moncrief 9, Marcus Burton 8, Payton Woodard 7, Trey Miller 3, Tylyne Mathies 2. FG: 23. FT: 5-8. F: 18. (3-pointers: Farmer 4, Miller 1. Fouled out: Burton.)

NMCC (86) — Jadis Jones 25, BJ Williamson 25, Ra’Mond Brooks 14, AJ Ruff 12, Marvion Cranford 7, Ryleigh Hardin 3. FG: 33. FT: 13-21. F: 9. (3-pointers: Williamson 5, Jones 1, Hardin 1. Fouled out: None.)