C3D1: NMCC impressive in lop-sided win

NEW MADRID, MO. — Playing in front of its home crowd, New Madrid County Central put on an impressive performance against Senath-Hornersville in a MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Semifinal on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

Led by another excellent game from the gruesome twosome of Jadis Jones and BJ Williamson, the top-seeded and Class 3 No. 4 Eagles (19-7) advanced to the title game with a 74-45 win over the fifth-seeded Lions (18-9).

“We have taken our bumps and lumps this season to be ready for this time of the year,” said NMCC assistant coach Dontre Jenkins. “We’ve tried to learn and improve after every game, and tonight isn’t any different. Will be right back at the drawing board tomorrow, trying to fix our mistakes and be ready for the next game.”

NMCC's Ra'Mond Brooks (15) goes for a layup during a 74-45 win over Senath-Hornersville in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 semifinals at NMCC High School on Wednesday, Feb. 22. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Jones scored 14 of his game-high 24 points in the first quarter which helped NMCC build a 30-12 lead.

The Eagles were relentless with full-court pressure and trapping defense that led to many easy buckets. The team was also methodical in the half-court sets, getting the ball to the basket and making the right decisions.

“We had a couple of guys step up and hit some outside jump shots,” Jenkins said. “That helped us out a lot.”

NMCC's JG Harris (30) looks for an opening teammate during a 74-45 win over Senath-Hornersville in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 semifinals at NMCC High School on Wednesday, Feb. 22. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

NMCC had a stretch in the second quarter where the offense became a little stagnant, but the team had better spacing and movement after halftime.

“They started face guarding [Jones],” Jenkins said. “But the guys figured out what was going on and we were able to get some easy buckets.”

The Eagles led 41-18 at halftime and pushed the lead to 30 points when Jones finished above the rim with a monster one-handed slam with five minutes and 32 seconds left in the third quarter.

NMCC's Marvion Cranford (50) grabs a rebound during a 74-45 win over Senath-Hornersville in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 semifinals at NMCC High School on Wednesday, Feb. 22. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“The guys came out and didn’t let up,” Jenkins said. “Give a lot of credit to [Senath-Hornersville’s] coaching staff and players for the way they competed tonight. They’re a well-coached team and they never gave up.”

BJ Williamson was NMCC’s next leading scorer with 23. The Eagles will face second-seeded and Class 3 No. 10 Caruthersville (16-4) in the championship game on Friday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.

“We know [Caruthersville] is going to come out amped and ready to play,” Jenkins said. “They’re well-coached and have a lot of athleticism. We’re looking forward to a great ballgame.”

NMCC defeated Caruthersville 76-74 on Feb. 7. However, Eagles struggled mightily from the free throw line in that game, finishing 20-of-42.

__NMCC 74, SENATH-HORNERSVILLE 45__

Senath 12 6 15 12 — 45

NMCC 30 11 22 11 — 74

__Senath-Hornersville (45) —__ Jaxon Layne 12, Spencer Goff 10, Amador Luna 10, Rico Gonzalez 6, Mason Williams 4, Hector Rodriguez 3. FG: 15. FT: 13-13. F: 5. (3-pointers: Gonzalez 2. Fouled out: none.)

__NMCC (74) —__ Jadis Jones 24, BJ Williamson 23, Brayden Newsom 8, Kayden Minner 5, Marion Cranford 4, AJ Ruff 3, JG Harris 3, Guilherme Rontarheiro Lourenco 2, Ra’Mond Brooks 2. FG: 34. FT: 0-2. F: 14. (3-pointers: Williamson 3, Ruff 1, Minner 1, Harris 1. Fouled out: none.)