Central boys use balanced attack to ground NMCC

It's a new year and a whole new ballgame for the Central Tigers.

Central saw the 2010 portion of its schedule end with a thud, first falling in the semifinals of the Southeast Missourian Christmas tournament to Jackson and then succumbing to Charleston in the third-place game.

It's been a different story in 2011. The Tigers are 4-0 since the turn of the calender, have a new point guard in junior Curtis Branch and are showing a renewed attitude.

The refreshed Tigers were on display Friday night against New Madrid County Central, and Central cruised to its fourth straight win by 20 points or more, thumping the Eagles 69-40.

Central, which improved to 11-3, led by double figures at halftime for the fourth straight game as it built a 26-point halftime lead against the Eagles.

Central senior James Lane goes up for a shot against New Madrid during their game Friday at Central. (Laura Simon)

The Tigers displayed a balanced attack as senior James Lane finished with 20 points, Branch had 17 and junior T.J. Tisdell added 16.

"A lot is changing," Central senior Andrew Williams said. "Just having Curtis coming in, everyone has a lot more fire in them. Now we know we can hang with anybody. Everyone is just having fun right now."

Branch has made an impact in three games since becoming eligible. Words like unselfish are common when the Tigers talk about their play on the floor, which has become more fluid with Branch handling the ball both on the fast break and in the half-court game.

"We really don't care who scores," Lane said. "We just want to get the bucket."

Tisdell said the Tigers are having more fun in their winning streak that also includes victories against Northwest-House Springs, Francis Howell North and Farmington.

Central coach Drew Church watches the action during Friday's game.

"All our new teammates, the people we have coming back this semester, is just making us a better team," Tisdell said. "We're playing together and being unselfish. We're able to go out there and play our best."

And Branch appears at the epicenter of the unselfishness. He dished out nine assists against New Madrid, including two on back-to-back possessions during a 16-0 run by the Tigers in the first quarter.

Central took over after New Madrid (2-11) scored the game's first basket.

Lane pulled Central even with a pair of free throws on the first of eight straight scoring possessions for the Tigers. Tisdell gave Central the lead for good the next trip down the floor with a conventional three-point play when he deposited an offensive rebound and was fouled as the Tigers' 16-0 run gained momentum.

Branch followed with the first of his five 3-pointers, then put his slick passing on display the next two trips down the floor. He first fed Lane for an inside bucket then hit Zach Boerboom in stride with a bounce pass for a fast break layin and a 12-2 lead.

Members of The Jungle watch as the Central dance team finishes its halftime show during Friday's basketball game. (Laura Simon)

Lane capped the run with a pair of inside baskets for a 16-2 Central advantage with 3 minutes left in the first quarter.

After New Madrid's Lamonte Nelson ended the spurt with a 3-pointer, Branch was back at it, feeding Lane for another inside basket.

In the final minute of the quarter, it was clear Branch's style of play was having an effect on his teammates. Williams fed Tisdell down low then capped the Tigers' quarter with a 3-point basket for a 23-7 lead.

"He just loves basketball," Williams said of Branch. "He gets up and gets everyone fired up and want to play basketball. We're not taking it for granted, and just coming out there and just having fun."

For Branch, his love of basketball goes deeper than just the game.

"I love my teammates," Branch said. "They're all pretty good guys, so I enjoy playing with them."

Branch had been practicing with the Tigers all season, developing a chemistry that appears to have a much more polished look than just three games.

"I think [the chemistry] is good, but I think it can be better," Central coach Drew Church said. "I've had some kids that have been together for four years, and [Branch] has been with us for three games now. It's only going to improve. And he's such an unselfish kid that it's going to go faster because he distributes the ball and he's good for our kids. They really get along."

The Tigers took advantage of an overwhelming size advantage against New Madrid. The Eagles, who featured only one starter -- 6-foot-1 G'Darius Stevenson -- taller than 5-9, were in an uphill battle against Central, which featured four starters who stand at least 6-5.

That fit well into the style of play of the Tigers' smallest starter, the 5-10 Branch, who repeatedly fed the 6-5 Lane and 6-5 Tisdell down low.

"I like giving it to the post," Branch said. "They work hard."

With many of the shots coming from close range, Central shot 64 percent from the field on 27 of 42 shooting.

Branch was perfect from long range, hitting all five of his 3-point attempts.

"He's able to handle pressure, create his own shot and he's able to help us out whenever they double-team in the post and we kick it out," said Tisdell, who led the Tigers with nine rebounds.

Branch has been nearly automatic from 3-point range. He has hit 13 of 14 3-point attempts in his three games with the Tigers.

"He's got the green light," Church said. "We knew he was a good shooter. But I wouldn't be able to tell you he'd go 13 for 14."

The Tigers held their biggest lead of the first half when Branch hit a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left for a 45-19 halftime advantage.

Central's lead hovered around 30 points most of the second half, even after the Tigers' starters departed after the third quarter.

"We knew Cape was a good team," New Madrid coach Travis Day said. "They know how to use their size, and the new guard they've got is going to help them tremendously when it comes down to district time. He's a good player.

"They needed a ballhandler. Now they've got one. He's going to help them big time."

The win also put the Tigers at 1-0 in the SEMO Conference.

"If we want a chance for a conference championship, this is the first step," Church said. "I was happy with that."

NMCC 7 12 13 8 -- 40

Central 23 22 19 5 -- 69

NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL (40) -- Akayla McClachey 13, Lamonte Nelson 6, Keith Holmes 4, Jamareia Jones 3, G'Darius Stevenson 6, Earl Grissom 3, JaShawn McDaniel 3, Dontrae Hicks 2. FG 15, FT 6-7, F 10. (3-pointers: Holloman 1, Nelson 2, Grissom 1. Fouled out: none)

CENTRAL (69) -- Andrew Williams 5, T.J. Tisdale 16, James Lane 20, Curtis Branch 17, Armondo Thatch 2, Garam Evans 2, Justin Espinoza 3, Zach Boerboom 4. FG 27, FT 9-11, F 10. (3-pointers: Williams 1, Branch 5. Fouled out: none)

JV -- Central won 51-32