Cape Central boys basketball team wins 11th straight, spoils Poplar Bluff's homecoming

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Al Young recalls playing basketball with Marcedus Leech when they were youngsters growing up in Caruthersville. Young, now a senior at Cape Central, and the Poplar Bluff freshman faced off Friday night.

"We've known each other since we were little," Young said. "We were talking a little trash out there."

Leech scored a game-high 31 points but Young and the Tigers came away with a 73-64 SEMO Conference road win.

"We're on a roll," said Young, who scored 29 points as Central won its 11th straight.

The Tigers (14-4, 1-0 SEMO Conference) spoiled Poplar Bluff's homecoming by holding off several second-half surges by the Mules (10-6, 0-1).

Cape Central's Al Young (3) defends as Poplar Bluff's Marcedus Leech attempts a shot during the second half Friday, Jan. 29, 2016, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Paul Davis)

"We bent a little bit but we didn't break though," Central coach Drew Church said. "We've been in quite a few close games this year and I think that's helped."

The Tigers, who improved to 7-3 in games decided by single digits, led by as much as 12 in the second quarter and 10 with 5 minutes left in the third.

The Mules, who got within five just before trailing 37-30 at halftime, scored seven straight. Leech ended the run with consecutive baskets, the final coming off a steal leading to a three-point play and a third foul for Young.

Central forced turnovers on the next three possessions and pushed its lead back to seven before being up 48-43 heading into the fourth.

"We can't dig ourselves in a hole like that," Poplar Bluff coach William Durden said. "We're three stops away from winning that game and we don't have anybody tough enough right now to step up and take that charge and get that stop or get a rebound."

Poplar Bluff missed another shot to tie the game after a Leech was intentionally fouled and sank two free throws. Tevyn Wright-Hunt splashed in a 3 but Leech answered with one of his own. After Jawone Newell split two free throws, Leech's 3 hit the front of the rim, bounced high and cut Central's lead to 52-51.

Garrett Jackson scored consecutive baskets for his only points and Newell's steal led to a three-point play to put the Tigers up eight with four and a half minutes to play.

But the Mules stormed back to within 63-60 after three straight baskets by sophomore Rodney Houston.

Young answered with a drive in transition, then pulled down a rebound off a missed 3 by Leech and raced upcourt for another. That put the Tigers up seven with a minute to play, and Young sank four free throws with Austin Parker dunking in between to seal the win after a brief stoppage in play when power was lost to the scoreboard.

"We kind of buckled down and got some good high-percentage layups," Church said. "Guarded a little better and rebounded.

"Couldn't be more proud of our guys."

Central's last loss was Dec. 18 to Farmington and the Tigers lost 70-62 to the Mules in the SEMO Conference Tournament opener.

"We just came together as a team," said Young who scored 11 fourth-quarter points. "We argued a little bit but we came back as a team. Everybody did their job, did their responsibilities."

The Tigers scored eight straight points midway through the opening quarter to take a 13-5 lead.

Leech threw down a pair of dunks after consecutive steals to cut the deficit in half but Wright-Hunt knocked down consecutive 3s and Central took a 21-13 lead into the second quarter.

Wright-Hunt had nine points, Parker added seven of his 13 points in the first quarter while Zyshon Mallory chipped in eight points. Newell and Blake Harris each scored five for the Tigers, who shot 53 percent from the field and finished plus-8 in points off turnovers.

Leech and Lucas accounted for 75 percent of Poplar Bluff's points. The Mules scored 14 second-chance points and had a 34-28 rebounding advantage but were 5 of 21 from 3-point range.

"It's just frustrating," Durden said. "I know we're going through growing pains or whatever they call them, but it's time to grow up."