MILESTONE WIN: Risco’s Brandon Blankenship picks up 300th victory with win over Neelyville

RISCO, Mo. — A game of runs ultimately favored Risco on Friday as longtime head boys basketball coach Brandon Blankenship picked up his 300th career victory with an 86-83 win over Neelyville.

Risco (15-12) used a balanced attack against Neelyville (13-12), as Layden Kellum (24) and Sammy Smith (21) to combined for 45 points.

“Neelyville is tough and physical,” Blankenship said. “They play extremely hard and we felt like the third quarter was big for us. We've been a team to wait until the fourth quarter to start turning it up, so we felt like the third quarter was big to go out and execute’’

Jon Smith, Amy Baker, Brandon Blankenship and Dillon Hill gather for a photo on February 17 at the Roy Hon Gymnasium. (Garrett Hicks/Special to the Standard-Democrat)

Neelyville led 18-13 after the first quarter and held a 41-35 advantage at halftime.

Risco stormed back to take a 60-59 lead after three quarters. CJ Blankenship, coach Blankenship’s son, hit four clutch free throws in the fourth quarter to close the door.

Risco shot 16-of-20 from the free throw line for an 80 percent clip.

New Madrid County Central head coach Lennis McFerren and Brandon Blankenship stand for a photo following the 2018 Riverbend Classic at NMCC High School. (Submitted)

Neelyville sharpshooter Casen Stephens scored 19 of his game-high 32 points in the first half and the team finished 24-of-32 at the charity stripe.

However, the biggest moment of tonight wasn't Risco’s victory, but coach Blankenship picking up his 300th career win as head coach of the Tigers.

Blankenship played his college ball at Hannibal-LaGrange University after graduating from New Madrid County Central High School.

Brandon's Blankenship's first year as Risco's head coach in 2002. (Submitted)

“It’s the players,” Blankenship said. “ You got to have the players and I’ve had a ton of help from some great ones and I couldn't do it without their help. [Risco assistant] coach [Dillon] Hill has been my main man for a while. Danny Burnett was huge [helping develop the program]. I’ve also been blessed to have guys like Luke Bixler, Jon Smith, Lawrence Graves, Jeremy Walker, Marcus Massey and Luke Carter. They’ve been great to work with and huge assets.

“My family has also been a huge part of the success,” he continued. “My wife, Staci, is always here working the video board and keeping the scorebook. I missed a lot of time with my children when they were little, and getting to share this with them is special. My parents, Marla and Terry, have always been mine and the team’s biggest fans.”

Blankenship was blessed to play for two of the best in Wayne Early and Hall of Famer Lennis McFerren.

‘’Coach Early was my first coach in junior high,” Blankenship said. “I won a district with him as a freshman in 1994, and one of the biggest things I took from him was his spiritual leadership. Coach [McFerren] taught me how to be tough and gritty. I also learned a lot from Scotty Blackburn.”

A couple of the biggest names in Risco basketball history are Roy Hon and Brandon Blankenship.

Blankenship surpassed Hon for the top spot in the record books.

“Coach Hon was the first coach that I had that wasn't my dad,” Blankenship said. “He was tough but helped shape me. I've always looked up and respected him.”

Blankenship’s father, Terry, helped develop his love for the game at a young age.

“I started coaching him in the fifth grade,” Terry Blankenship said. “He's always played hard. He wasn't the tallest or fastest guy but he worked for everything and I believe his teams reflect that.”

Staci Blankenship said it's been an incredible journey watching her husband and the program grow and develop over the years.

“The time and dedication that he has put into this program is something not many see and I'm so proud of him,” Staci Blankenship said.

The all-time leading scorer in Risco history, Nathan Burnett, said Blankenship left a lasting effect on him.

“He is a great person on and off the court and someone I look up to in life,” Burnett said.

AWARDS

Brandon Blankenship has been at the helm of the Tigers since 2002. He took over a team with only two district titles in school history and turned the program into a Class 1 powerhouse with 12 winning seasons, five district titles, four conference championships and two sectional trophies.

Blankenship has also led the team to 20 wins or more in a season four times in past the decade and has had six players go on to play at the collegiate level.

He’s also been the Tri-County Conference Coach of the Year five times and was named the Athletic Director of the Year in 2013.

__RISCO 86, NEELYVILLE 83__

__Neelyville (83) —__ Casen Stephens 32, Preston Goodnight 16, Grant Hale 14, Brock Davis 12, Drew Shands 5, Owen Conner 2, Zak Cowley 2. FG: 17. FT: 24-34. (3-pointers: Stephens 5, Goodnight 2, Hale 2.)

__Risco (86) —__ Layden Kellum 24, Sammy Smith 21, CJ Blankenship 9, Ayden Denson 8, Reiley Calvert 8, Eli Rodgers 6, Owen Fortner 5, Will Collier 5. FG: 20. FT: 16-20. (3-pointers: Kellum 6, Denson 2, Calvert 2.)