NMCC crushes Cairo in border battle

CAIRO, Ill. — New Madrid County Central traveled across the Mississippi River and secured a 78-36 victory at Cairo on Friday, Jan. 13.

BJ Williamson scored a game-high as the Eagles improved to 9-4.

“We played hard as a team and played together,” said NMCC assistant coach Dontre Jenkins. “We focused on our defense, we were able to get some easy baskets on their turnovers. We also were able to work on some things throughout that we needed to get better at. Overall we came out and competed from start to finish.”

NMCC travels to undefeated Cape Central (15-0) for a rematch between ranked teams on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

The Eagles are No. 1 in Class 3, while the Tigers are No. 3 in Class 5.

Cape Central won the team’s previous matchup earlier this season, 49-47 in the semifinals of the SEMO Conference Tournament.

NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL 78, CAIRO 36

NMCC 22 28 20 8 — 78

Cairo 5 11 15 5 — 36

__NMCC (78) —__ BJ Williamson 25, Brayden Newsom 15, Jadis Jones 12, Jariek Smith 9, Julian Courtois 4, Marvion Cranford 4, Lee Kenedy 4, Ra’Mond Brooks 3, Kayden Minner 2. FG: 32. Ft: 13-26. F: 10. (3-pointers: Williamson 1. Fouled out: none.)

__Cairo (36) —__ Jeserick Pilgram 12, Louie McMillen 8, Damarion Nunez 4, McKenlee Pirtle 4, Maceo Childs 3, Ja’Ron Whitaker 3, Vance Tuck 2. FG: 14. FT: 3-7. F: 19. (3-pointers: Pilgram 2, McMillen 2, Childs 1, Pirtle 1, Whitaker 1. Fouled out: Tuck.)