Jackson boys basketball team rallies for overtime victory at SEMO Conference tournament

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Jackson's John Meyer never has lacked height.

He was listed in the Indians' basketball program at 6 foot 7 as a sophomore, then 6-8 as a junior.

Meyer now is a senior, and the program reads 6-9. But a bonus ingredient appears to have accompanied the latest inch -- presence.

Meyer had it on display against New Madrid County Central in the consolation championship game of the SEMO Conference boys basketball tournament Friday night.

Meyer scored a team-high 20 points and had a hand in numerous big plays down the stretch that resulted in a 67-63 Jackson victory in overtime.

Jackson's John Meyer puts up a shot against New Madrid County Central's Darrin McClosan, left, and Tevin Winfield during the second quarter of the SEMO Conference tournament consolation game Friday in Sikeston, Mo. (Kristin Eberts)

"In the past, we've had other guys kind of fill those roles, and this year he's trying to step up and fill those roles," Jackson coach Darrin Scott said. "Tonight was the first night he had a real opportunity to do that, and he took full advantage of it."

Meyer was a force on the boards, aggressive in the Indians' full-court pressure and contributed timely points.

"I feel like there's more on my shoulders, but I kind of like it a little bit," Meyer said.

Meyer threw down a fast-break dunk early in the second half, and more highlights followed as the Indians slowly tracked down the Eagles. Jackson (3-1) lost a 10-point lead in the second quarter and never regained it until the final minute of regulation.

"I had a feeling somewhere that we were going to win this one," Meyer said. "Because we didn't want to go on that bus ride all the way home if we didn't."

Jackson's Karson King, left, signals to the referee as Jackson's John Meyer (40) and New Madrid County Central's Jashawn McDaniel fight for possession of the ball during the fourth quarter Friday.

Meyer netted 15 of his points in the second half and overtime and turned in a game-changing block in the final two minutes of regulation. The defensive gem ultimately helped the Indians close the gap on NMCC.

Jackson, which trailed 28-24 at halftime and 42-36 at the start of the fourth quarter, trimmed a five-point NMCC lead to 52-49 with a pair of free throws with 1 minute, 49 seconds remaining. The Indians pressed on the ensuing inbound play and the Eagles escaped for a 2-on-1 break.

The only thing standing between two Eagles and a basket was Meyer, who stood his ground in the lane when Darrin McClosan chose to shoot instead of pass. Meyer rejected McClosan's attempt.

"He just went straight up," Meyer said. "I was just hoping he wouldn't pass it and make me look bad. I just went up with him and caught it at the right time."

Meyer fulfilled his duties as the stopper in an aggressive approach by the Indians.

"He allowed us tonight to extend our defensive pressure up front and allowed us to pressure more because he can protect the basket and get some blocks," Scott said. "He just competed. He was communicating a lot on the floor. He did a lot of good things."

Jackson tied the score at 52-52 its next trip down the floor when sophomore Calvin Lysell buried a 3-pointer from the left corner with 1:17 left.

Meyer moved Jackson into the lead on its next possession by hitting a pair of free throws after he was fouled trying to deposit an offensive rebound with 30 seconds left.

"I wanted to shoot free throws," Meyer said about getting to the line in the final minute. "If anyone was going to get fouled, I wanted to shoot them."

The Indians were a perfect 7 of 7 from the line during the quarter, and they needed every point.

NMCC forced overtime when LeMonta Nelson, who led the Eagles with a game-high 21 points, hit two free throws with 3 seconds remaining to tie the score 54-54.

Nelson hit a 3-pointer to open the overtime scoring, but it was the only lead for the Eagles. Jackson scored the next six points to go ahead for good. Sophomore Karson King sandwiched a pair of inside baskets around a pair of free throws by Lysell to account for the 6-0 spurt that gave Jackson a 60-57 lead with 1:56 left.

"Even if we would have lost, I was proud of our guys," Scott said. "One of the things we've been preaching is continuing to compete. When bad things happen, keep playing. And in the second half, I thought we did that.

"There were a lot of times where we could have folded, and we kept playing and made some tough shots and came back and tied it up."

King finished with 19 points.

"We're young and have a lot of talent," said junior Luke Stevens, who added 11 points. "We just need to fit the pieces. This meant a lot. After the loss to Notre Dame, we really needed it."

Jackson lost by 27 points to Notre Dame in the first round, but it reached the consolation final with a 20-point win against Dexter.

"We've got some pretty good sophomores," Stevens said. "We've got a lot of players that can do a lot of different things. I'm just glad we played hard tonight."

NMCC 9 19 14 12 9 -- 63

Jackson 17 7 12 18 13 -- 67

NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL (63) -- Earl Grissom 2, LeMonta Nelson 21, Jashawn McDaniel 9, Brandon Ray 9, C.J. Chism 6, Darrin McClosan 4, Jamarri Jones 8, Dre Wilson 4. FG 26, FT 4-8, F 22. (3-pointers: Nelson 5, Ray 2. Fouled out: Jones)

Jackson (67) -- Caleb Newcomer 7, Braxton McDowell 3, Calvin Lysell 7, Karson King 19, John Meyer 20, Luke Stevens 11. FG 22, FT 20-29, F 11. (3-pointers: Newcomer 1, Lysell 1. Fouled out: none)