Fredericktown holds off Dons in opening round

STE. GENEVIEVE — A 25-point game from junior Emmitt Jones wouldn’t be enough to get the Doniphan Dons out of the first round.

The No. 5 seed Dons faced off against the No. 4 seeded Fredericktown Blackcats on Tuesday in the opening round of the Class 4 District 1 Tournament at Ste. Genevieve High School.

Despite a late rally in the fourth quarter, a missed opportunity in the game’s final moment would cause the Dons to come up short to Fredericktown 57-54 to end their playoff run.

Dons head coach Hunter Dilbeck said the team competed very well, but they couldn’t find a consistent rhyme to make a run.

“We played extremely hard, especially at the end of the game,” Dilbeck said. “We made some great shots down the stretch, but we could never get a lead. I’m proud of how this team played all year and hate that we couldn’t extend our season.”

This contest is the first meeting between the two teams. Without prior experience of what to expect on either side, the game was destined to go down to the wire.

The Dons came out with a lot of fire by striking first with a fastbreak lay-in from senior Isaac Rawlings. Despite setting the tone early, this would sadly be the last time the Dons would hold the lead. Midway through the opening quarter, Fredericktown began to make a run. With their swift ball movement and ability to get inside the paint, closing out the first quarter with a 15-9 lead.

The game continued to be slow-paced as each team utilized a lot of patience with their shot selection. Though trailing, the Dons attempted to keep the game close, but a three from Fredericktown’s Zander Stephens kept their momentum rolling into halftime. The Dons were looking for a boost, and they would get it from Jones with his constant attacks to the basket.

Jones’ burst of energy would trim the lead down to three midway through the third, but the game’s outcome would come down to the last quarter.

Both teams began to trade a series of baskets to start the final period. Though Fredericktown held a 44-37 lead, the Dons quickly rallied back within four with a dagger three from Corey Hagood.

With 20 seconds remaining on the clock, Fredericktown led 54-53, but the Dons would have the last possession. The last few moments would be crucial for the Dons as they either go for the win or the tie. Regardless of any drawn-up play, Fredericktown used their quick hands to steal away any hopes the Dons had of making it to the next round.

Stephens led Fredericktown with 19 points, Blake Terry-Breakfield had 13, and Timothy DeSanto.

Rawlings added to the Dons’ scoresheet with 16 points, while Hagood added eight.

Fredericktown will play the No. 1 seed Ste. Genevieve High School on Thursday.