Central slays another one

The current group of Central basketball players is trying to bring respect back to a program that has struggled in recent years.

This week's Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament will go a long way toward accomplishing that goal.

Sixth-seeded Central notched its second upset in as many nights, knocking off second-seeded Notre Dame 56-51 in Tuesday's semifinals.

That came after the Tigers defeated another major rival, third-seeded Jackson, in Monday's quarterfinal round.

"People were talking down on us," junior forward James Lane said. "We proved to a whole lot of people we can do it."

Central senior Kevin Casasola shoots a free throw with 11 seconds remaining against Notre Dame in the semifinal game Tuesday during Day 3 of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

Central advanced to the tournament's championship game for the first time since 2003. The Tigers will shoot for their first title in the event since 1996 when they face top-seeded and defending champion Scott County Central tonight.

"It's a great feeling," junior guard Andrew Williams said.

At 7-2, the Tigers are already just three wins away from matching last year's total.

"I think this showed everybody more what we can do," senior guard Kevin Casasola said of Central's play in the tournament.

Fourth-year Central coach Drew Church, while not yet ready to anoint the Tigers a dominant team, also is not about to dismiss what his team has accomplished so far this week.

"I couldn't be more proud," Church said. "I think it's a step in the right direction. These kids have been with me a while now. ... They're just a scrappy group. They battle."

Tuesday's contest at the Show Me Center, close the entire way, was played in front of a big crowd that featured large groups of enthusiastic supporters from both schools.

"It was a great atmosphere," Williams said. "The Jungle [Central[']s student rooting section] is always great for us."

Notre Dame (7-4) led most of the first half, but never by more than eight points, before carrying a 27-23 advantage into the break.

The tide began to turn in Central's favor during the third quarter for several reasons.

Notre Dame senior guard Liam Maher suffered a leg injury early in the period and did not return.

Notre Dame 6-foot-7 junior forward Jacob Tolbert, the Bulldogs' leading scorer and a Division I prospect, got into foul trouble.

And Casasola took charge.

Casasola scored 12 of his 14 points in the quarter, nine coming on three 3-pointers. His basket from beyond the arc midway through the period put Central up 36-35 for its first lead since 7-6 early in the game.

"I tried to step up and be a leader," Casasola said.

Notre Dame forced three ties later in the quarter but never regained the lead.

Casasola hit 1 of 2 free throws with 12 seconds left to put the Tigers on top 44-43 heading into the fourth quarter. They never gave up the lead.

"Kevin's an aggressive player," Church said. "He stepped up and hit some big shots."

With Tolbert on the bench due to the foul trouble, Central scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to open its biggest lead of the night, 50-43. Tolbert came back in before fouling out with 3 minutes, 33 seconds left.

The Tigers also led 53-46 with less than four minutes left and missed 5 of 6 free throws along with committing several turnovers. But Notre Dame could not capitalize.

Notre Dame closed to 54-51 on a layup by senior guard Nick Koeppel with 14 seconds left, but Casasola's two free throws with 11 seconds remaining iced the victory.

"I thought we played well, we just couldn't score," said Notre Dame coach Kevin Roberts, whose squad lost to Scott County Central in last year's final and will play Charleston for third place tonight. "We forced turnover after turnover but just couldn't score.

"We like the game in the 70s. We barely got in the 50s. That's not our style. But they made some tough shots. Give them credit."

Williams led Central with 15 points, hitting four 3-pointers. Along with Casasola's 14 points, Lane added 12 and junior guard Blake Ozbun contributed nine.

Tolbert was held to 13 points after scoring 22 in each of Notre Dame's first two tournament games. Senior forward Dylan Essner added 10 points for the Bulldogs.

"He's [Tolbert] a very good player. We didn't want to let him catch the ball easy," said Church, who credited Lane and junior center Zach Boerboom with making things tough on Tolbert. "We doubled him and tried to limit his touches.

"Him fouling out took a big load off us."

And helped push Central into the tournament championship game.

"It's a big deal for us," Casasola said.

The Tigers will be heavy underdogs against Scott County Central, but Lane was undaunted.

"Let's do it. I'm ready," he said.

Central 7 16 21 12 -- 56

Notre Dame 12 15 16 8 -- 51

CENTRAL (56) -- Blake Ozbun 9, Andrew Williams 15, James Lane 12, Terrance Howard 2, Kevin Casasola 14, Zach Boerboom 4. FG 17, FT 15-24, F 15. (3-pointers: Williams 4, Casasola 3. Fouled out: none)

NOTRE DAME (51) -- Nick Koeppel 7, Liam Maher 7, Ke-Ke Kellum 5, Alex Carroll 2, Luciano Starling 3, Tanner Hiett 2, Jacob Tolbert 13, Matt Helle 2, Dylan Essner 10. FG 18, FT 12-17, F 24. (3-pointers: Maher 1, Starling 1, Tolbert 1. Fouled out: Tolbert)