Central completes first session with blowout win vs. Woodland

Central used a 44-4 first-half run to hammer Woodland 82-28 in the first round of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show-Me Center on Monday.

What started as a 6-6 first-quarter tie turned into a 50-10 halftime lead for the fourth-seeded Tigers (6-3). The scoring spree included three straight 3s by sophomore Adrian Cox to end the first quarter and a highlight-reel alley-oop from Jajuan Bell to Darnell Wilks to start the second quarter.

Central, which has won six of its last seven games, hit seven 3s in the first half and continued its stingy defense in the second half to outscore No. 13 Woodland (2-5) 32-18 in the final 16 minutes.

The Tigers hit 10 of 20 3s overall, including five by Cox, and outrebounded the Cardinals 45-22.

Cox had a game-high 22 points for Central. Wilks had 18, David Deisher had 11 and Jeremy Kimble added 10.

The Tigers held Woodland's Seth Gaines, who entered the game averaging more than 26 points per game, to just four points.

"We were able to rebound the basketball," Central coach Derek McCord said. "We knew Gaines was a good player, and we did a good job containing him."

Willie Piatt led the Cardinals with eight points.

Charleston 68, Oak Ridge 36

Sixteenth-seeded Oak Ridge scored the first basket of the game against the top seed, and it all went downhill from there.

Charleston (8-2) rattled off a 14-0 run in the first quarter, then added another 13-0 run spanning into the second quarter. Charleston's Justin Clark scored 16 of his game-high 22 points in the first frame, including three consecutive 3-pointers, to give his team a 20-point edge after one quarter.

Charleston used its full-court press to increase its lead to 42-15 at halftime.

"Our game plan was to try to limit the possessions for them," Oak Ridge coach John Martin said, "but you can't simulate that press in practice.

"I thought we showed a lot of character in the second half."

Oak Ridge (0-8) scored 17 points in the third period.

Austin Hahs, who entered the tournament averaging more than 20 points per game, was held to just 13 points. Hahs played with a taped wrist, which Martin said he injured prior to the tournament.

"He's been playing through it," Martin said. "He's got a hurt wrist; I don't think he was completely over-matched."

Oak Ridge also suffered a first-round loss to Charleston in last year's tournament and was eliminated in the second round.

"We've got our work cut out for us," Martin said, "but we'll just keep plugging away and trying to get better."

Jackson 72, Chaffee 28

After a mediocre first half, second-seeded Jackson unleashed its bench and outscored No. 15 Chaffee 45-12 in the second half.

The Indians (10-1) got off to a 9-0 start, but Chaffee snuck back into the picture in the second quarter. The Red Devils scored 14 points and pulled within 11 at halftime.

Jackson's bench was responsible for the last 34 points for the Indians. Ryan Leet finished with a game-high 15 points.

"Our bench, energy-wise, was much better," Jackson coach Darrin Scott said. "When we subbed, we started getting deflections and rebounds."

Spencer Goodman and Drue McNeely each added 11 for the Indians.

Chaffee (3-3), which did not score 20 points in either of its two games in last year's tournament, was led by Steven Dooley with nine points.

"Give Chaffee and coach [Tyson] Moyers credit," Scott said. "They spread the floor well and didn't panic. They came out and were competitive."

Bell City 66, Oran 41

Third-seeded Bell City had three players with at least 15 points and eased by No. 14 Oran.

Kerry Lasters led the Cubs (7-1) with 17 points, followed by Will Bogan and Blaine Stewart with 16 apiece. Lasters and Stewart were both 7-for-8 from the free-throw line.

"We had over a week and a half off," Bell City coach Brian Brandtner said. "We weren't pleased with our turnovers and rebounds.

"But give Oran credit. They're not a 14 seed, I'll tell you that. They're a pretty good club.

Chase Seyer and Steven Mock had nine points apiece to lead the Eagles (2-4).

CENTRAL 82, WOODLAND 28

Woodland 8 2 12 6 -- 28

Central 22 28 22 10 -- 82

WOODLAND (28) -- Jeremy Hutson 4, Cody Barrett 3, Willie Piatt 8, Seth Gaines 4, Jordan King 2, David Otero 7. FG 13, FT 1-2, F 8 (3-pointers: Otero 1. Fouled out: none)

CENTRAL (82) -- Adrian Cox 22, Kourtney Lewis 2, Garrett Ozbun 4, Jared Thomas 6, Noah Barr 2, Jeremy Kimble 10, David Deisher 11, Darnell Wilkes 18, Jajuan Bell 7. FG 31, FT 8-12, F 10 (3-pointers: Cox 5, Jajuan Bell 1, Thomas 2, Wilkes 2. Fouled out: none)

Chaffee 2 14 9 3 -- 28

Jackson 11 16 29 16 -- 72

CHAFFEE (28) -- Steven Dooley 9, Andy Hendrix 8, Michael Lee 3, Jeff Daugherty 2, Aaron Hopkins 2, Augi Orr 2, Alex Orr 1, Korey Chapman 1. FG 10, FT 7-12, F 10 (3-pointers: Dooley 1. Fouled out: none)

JACKSON (72) -- Ryan Leet 15, Spencer Goodman 11, Drue McNeely 11, Steven Spradlin 9, Kyle Pridemore 9, Aaron Redecker 6, Hunter Grantham 3, Logan Lawson 4, Jake Leet 2, Colby Illers 2. FG 30, FT 6-10, F 16 (3-pointers: Goodman 3, R. Leet 1, McNeely 1, Pridemore 1. Fouled out: none)

Oak Ridge 7 8 17 4 -- 36

Charleston 27 15 23 3 -- 68

OAK RIDGE (36) -- Austin Hahs 13, Johnnie Price 9, Ryan Pohlman 6, Walt Ruesler 5, Dylan Abbott 3. FG 13, FT 7-13, F 8 (3-pointers: Hahs 1, Price 1, Ruesler 1. Fouled out: none)

CHARLESTON (68) -- Justin Clark 22, Jamarcus Williams 16, Tavis Hamilton 6, Jerquawn Sherrell 4, Paul Johnson 4, Joseph Watts 2, Markale Kent 3, Seth Stephenson 2. FG 30, FT4-6, F 8 (3-pointers: Clark 5. Fouled out: none)

Oran 9 8 6 18 -- 41

Bell City 15 13 17 21 -- 66

ORAN (41) -- Chris Asmus 8, Chase Seyer 9, Steven Mock 9, Hunter Glastetter 2, Jordon Mason 2, Kody Campbell 5, Robert Lange 6. FG 16, FT 7-14, F 16 (3-pointers: Mock 1, Campbell 1. Fouled out: none)

BELL CITY (66) -- Kerry Lasters 17, Will Bogan 16, Nick Niemczyk 2, Marty Dames 7, Blaine Stewart 16, Phillip Gross 4, Jeff Liggins 4. FG 23, FT 19-28, F 17 (3-pointers: Stewart 1. Fouled out: none)