Campbell Camels are victorious on Senior Night

CAMPBELL, Mo. - The Camels celebrated Monday's Senior Night in style.

The varsity basketball squad downed the Clarkton Reindeer in a close match 46-43, nearly a dozen seniors were recognized on court, and Campbell head coach and Athletic Director Steve Fowler was honored for winning more than 300 games.

“That was very much appreciated,” a grateful Fowler told The Delta Dunklin Democrat. “It kinda just creeped up.

“It seems like yesterday when I got into coaching,” he continued. “Time just seems to fly by.”

Monday, February 12 was Senior night at Campbell High School. Pictured are the student athletes that were honored with their families. Photo by Steve Hankins

That time is precious for Fowler, who said he was fortunate thus far in his career to coach some really good players.

“And more importantly, really good people,” Fowler said. “The wins are special and I'm humbled for the support from the school and the community.

“But watching players move on and be successful at the next phase of their lives is what it's all about,” he added. “Along with the 300 wins are some losses and I've always tried to help kids understand that even in the losses we can always find some positives to build on and improve.”

Monday, February 12 was Senior night at Campbell High School. Pictured are the student athletes that were honored with their families. Photo by Steve Hankins

That mindset aided the Camels and inspired the team to its, so far, 15-8 season.

“We didn't play our best against Clarkton,” Fowler noted. “We still managed to find a way to win.”

Indeed.

Campbell coach and athletic director Steve Fowler (left) accepts a plaque celebrating his 300th win from Brad Lell, Campbell High School principal, during the Camels' senior night game against Clarkton.Photo by Steve Hankins

The Reindeer were out front 10-6 after the first period buzzer.

But the Camels awakened from a limited, first-quarter three-goal slumber and soldiered forward to lead the Reindeer throughout the remainder of the defense-heavy game, by 10 at the half 24-14, by 10 after three 33-23 and held on to a shrinking lead to claim victory 46-43.

“I told the guys I'd rather win ugly than lose pretty,” Fowler noted. “We have more games this week to help us prepare for the district tournament that's approaching quickly. I fully expect these guys to be ready for the challenges that lay ahead.”

That prediction was realized Tuesday when Campbell dragged Zalma (2-23) along the hardwood to totally punish the Bulldogs 104-15. The Camels square off against the Gideon Bulldogs (7-16) tonight at Gideon.

Although Campbell's Tanner Smart aced 13 to lead the Camels' scoring, Clarkton's Amauri Gorman was the game's leading shooter with 16 points.

In addition, the Reindeer outgunned the Camels from the foul line and dropped .875 percent of free throws to Campbell's .500.

Both teams were even from the two-point floor, each scoring 13 goals.

But the Camels racked up four three-point nuggets to the Reindeer's single tres to bring the game home.

“I thought our kids really came out and played hard,” Reindeer coach Cole McBroom said postgame. “They played the game plan.

“I thought we did a good job of covering up their shooters,” he noted. “Campbell is a good team. They're big. They're strong. They're fast, athletic and deep. We played six kids tonight and typically we play seven. We have one out with a minor injury. But this close to districts we just held him out to let him heal up.”

McBroom said the low-scoring game was to be somewhat expected.

“Nobody had a real big night,” McBroom said. “We kinda had to play slow and controlled or we weren't gonna be able to go up and down with them.

“They had a lot going on,” he continued. “It was a good night for them. We played them a good, tough game. It was one of those games that's gonna help us prepare for a three-game tournament next week.”

The Reindeer face the South Pemiscot Bulldogs (11-9) tonight at South Pem.

The Camels started Sam Bunting who scored 12, Beckett Hanners with two points,

Landen Wilson, and Tanner Smart with 13. Layden Kellum scored five, Kennan Siebert had four, Drew Fowler nailed three, Ben Rowland scored four, Caiden Mayberry had two, and Wyatt Janson added a point for the Camels.

The Reindeer started Gorman who scored 16, Alex Juarez with nine points, Kaleb Guyton with six, Caleb Godsey, Clayton Godsey dropped 10 and Talan Jones hit a bucket for two for the Reindeer.