Dynamic guard play sends New Madrid County Central boys basketball team past Cape Central

Superior guard play can go a long way for any basketball team, and that's exactly what New Madrid County Central had Friday night.

Senior guard Willie Jimerson and sophomore guard Javarcus Word combined for 45 points and led the Eagles to a 68-63 victory over Central in a SEMO Conference boys basketball game at Central High School.

The two players were a combined 15 of 30 (50 percent) shooting from the floor but used their speed and quickness to find open shots throughout the game.

"We're not going to scare anybody with our size," NMCC coach Travis Day said. "... In the fourth quarter, the ball's going to be in those two guys' hands. It's automatic. They're going to work to keep possession of it, and they're also two of our better free throw shooters. Even though they didn't show that tonight, they're two of our better free throw shooters. They're good ball-handlers because they're so quick. They played well.

"We'll enjoy this one a little bit, but then we've got to turn around and do it again next week."

After Central sophomore Kway'Chon Chisom fouled out with 3:27 remaining in the game, the Tigers (12-4) faced their biggest defensive setback. Chisom finished with only two points but was an integral part of Central's defensive strategy.

"We got in some foul trouble, and their guards are fantastic. They dominated that game. When you have guards that can dominate the game, it makes a lot of things easier," Central coach Drew Church said. "They're tough to guard. Travis does a good job getting them to the right spots and hitting their correct areas to score from."

From that point, the Eagles (15-2) did just enough from the charity stripe to protect their lead and survive a late push by the Tigers.

Central's Al Young drives past New Madrid County Central's Kiel Causey during the first quarter Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at Central High School. (Glenn Landberg)

After Jimerson missed a pair of free throws, Central junior Al Young knocked down a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in the game, and the Tigers quickly fouled Jimerson to put him back at the free-throw line.

Jimerson atoned for his previous misses by connecting on his next two opportunities and securing the victory. He finished 12 of 19 (63 percent) from the charity stripe, while the rest of his team was 6 of 11 (55 percent).

"They hit the ones that we needed, but as a coach you want them all to go in," Day said about his team's free-throw shooting. "The effort was good. It's like I told them, everybody that got into the game gave us quality minutes. Even if it was just two or three minutes, they were quality minutes, so we're proud of everybody."

Jimerson converted a three-point play to spark an 8-2 run for NMCC in the opening minutes of the game, but the Tigers got within three points at the end of the opening period.

Chase Hagerty scored the final six points of the period for Central, which trailed 15-12 heading into the second quarter. Eight of Hagerty's 10 points came in the first quarter, but the senior was limited by an ankle injury in the second half.

"I think he gave us some good minutes tonight. He always plays hard. You can count on that with Chase," Church said. "I thought tonight they concentrated on Andre a lot, and they helped on penetration. Chase was able to get some openings, and we found him. And he made the buckets when we gave it to him, so I was proud of Chase."

But the second quarter provided much of the same from Jimerson.

After Young hit two free throws to tie the game at 20-all, Jimerson gave the advantage back to the Eagles with a layup that began an 11-4 NMCC run. Jimerson was 5 of 6 (83 percent) from the field in the first half and finished with a game-high 26 points.

Central's Chase Hagerty and Al Young work to block a shot by New Madrid County Central's Willie Jimerson during the third quarter Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at Central High School. (Glenn Landberg)

Drew Palmer scored the Eagles' last five points of the half, including a 3-pointer from the right side as time expired, giving NMCC a momentous 31-24 lead.

"It was big for us because I think they had just made a big run at us, so to end the half on that shot, it kind of lifted our spirits going into halftime, where we could have something positive to talk about in the locker room," Day said. "That was big for us. We needed that going in there, more for our composure than anything."

In the second half, Word began heating up as well.

After shooting 1 of 7 (14 percent) from the field in the first half, Word scored 10 of his 19 points on 4 of 6 (67 percent) shooting in the third quarter.

"With Javarcus attacking and scoring, it opens up a lot of stuff for our shooters and me and the post players," Jimerson said. "He always comes up big. He told me he was going to make up for the first half, and he did."

Word's most impressive moment came in the final seconds of the period. Peyton Montgomery converted a three-point play to draw the Tigers within five points before NMCC drove down the court for the final possession of the quarter.

A missed 3-pointer by Palmer was kicked back out to Word, who gathered the ball near half-court and lobbed a shot toward the basket from 45 feet away.

The improbable shot swished through the basket, sending the NMCC faithful into a frenzy and giving the Eagles another momentous lift.

"That was a big momentum changer," Jimerson said. "He just threw it up, and it was all net. Cape had the momentum, and when he hit that buzzer beater, it switched the whole momentum."

Central's Andre Statam works past New Madrid County Central's Drew Palmer in the fourth quarter Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at Central High School. (Glenn Landberg)

Church said it was a tough situation for his players to handle but said he was pleased with the way they responded.

"We've got some determined kids," Church said. "They never pointed fingers. They never were hard on each other. They stayed positive, and they stayed together. If we can continue that, we can do some things. I think our attitude and our effort was very good. We've just still got to clean some stuff up."

The Tigers showed plenty of fight in the final period.

Young completed a three-point play to draw Central back to within five points with 7:05 remaining in the game. Less than two minutes later, Central cut its deficit to three points on a jumper from Andre Statam, who scored 10 of his 15 points on 4 of 7 (57 percent) shooting in the fourth quarter.

"He's going to see a lot of double teams and a lot of different defenses. A lot of people try to be physical with him," Church said about Statam. "He's going to have a tough night every night, and I think we can do a better job with him passing to the wing and cutting and just getting the ball to him in different ways. For the most part, I thought he really crashed the boards hard tonight, and we're only going to get better."

Young contributed 10 of his team-high 24 points in the final quarter as well. Central finished the game 23 of 54 (43 percent) from the floor but struggled to out-rebound a smaller NMCC squad.

"I think they did a really good job on the glass. They're athletic, and they go after it hard," Church said about the Eagles. "We had some of our guys just not be able to rebound. I don't know if it was because they were just watching or getting caught up in the game, but we just didn't execute that."

The road win marks another stepping stone for NMCC, which already has a conference tournament title under its belt. The Eagles are now 2-1 against conference opponents in the regular season.

"That just lets you know how tough our conference is," Day said. "We played Charleston on Tuesday in a tough battle. Now it's Friday, and we've got to do it all over again. So you're hoping your kids are ready for it and can handle it. It was a great game. I wish I could sit in the stands and watch a game like this, but when you're on the sidelines, it's a nailbiter.

"I'm proud of the kids. We fought. We never got rattled, and that's what I always ask of them. Good or bad, whatever happens, keep your composure. Keep doing what we do, and we did that."

Church said his team remains upbeat despite losing its first regular-season conference game.

"Tonight they were just better than us," Church said. "I don't think our kids are too discouraged.

"I know we'll continue to fight, and I'm excited about what's coming up."

NMCC 15 16 15 22 -- 68

Central 12 12 14 25 -- 63

NMCC (68) -- Willie Jimerson 26, Javarcus Word 19, Drew Palmer 8, T.J. Clark 6, Asten Newsom 4, Chris Farr 3, Deon Jenkins 2. FG 22-57, FT 18-30, F 20. (3-pointers: Word 2, Palmer 2, Clark 1, Farr 1. Fouled out: none.)

CENTRAL (63) -- Al Young 24, Andre Statam 15, Chase Hagerty 10, Peyton Montgomery 6, Blake Harris 6, Kway'Chon Chisom 2. FG 23-54, FT 14-23, F 23. (3-pointers: Young 2, Montgomery 1. Fouled out: Chisom.)