NMCC keeps dream alive with resounding win over West County in Class 3 quarterfinal

FARMINGTON, Mo. — As the old cliche goes: You don’t spit in the wind, you don’t tug on Superman’s cape and you don’t chant overrated at New Madrid County Central standout Jadis Jones.

West County and its student section found the latter out the hard way during a 71-38 loss to Jones and the Eagles (22-7) in a MSHSAA Class 3 Quarterfinal at the Farmington Civic Center on Friday, March 3.

“[Jones] has been doing this all year long and he turned it up a notch tonight,” said NMCC assistant coach Dontre Jenkins. “He came out on fire, attacking the rim and putting the team on his back. He’s got us this far with his ability to score and create for his teammates. He continued doing that tonight. It’s just Jadis doing what Jadis does.”

NMCC's BJ Williamson dives for a steal�during a 71-38 win over West County in a MSHSAA Class 3 quarterfinal at the Farmington Civic Center on Friday, March 3.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

NMCC was on a mission from the opening tip and kept the Bulldogs (16-12) in check with its aggressive defense and overwhelming talent. The Eagles jumped out to a 9-0 lead midway through the opening quarter after scores from AJ Ruff, Jones and BJ Williamson, but the team also had some uncharacteristic mistakes.

“We still weren’t playing to our potential,” Jenkins said. “We had a couple of turnovers trying to get the ball into the post. We had a couple of jump shots we didn’t need. We just had a slow start.”

West County didn’t score its first points until Chasten Horton finished inside with three minutes and 30 seconds left in the first quarter. Ty Harlow added a 3-pointer to narrow the lead to 9-5, but NMCC ended the first quarter with a 15-7 advantage after Jones split a double team and scored just before the buzzer.

NMCC's Brayden Newsom (32) shoots�during a 71-38 win over West County in a MSHSAA Class 3 quarterfinal at the Farmington Civic Center on Friday, March 3.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Jones inbounded the ball off a defender’s back under the basket, caught it and finished a contested shot in the opening minutes of the second quarter.

“That’s just high basketball IQ right there,” Jenkins said.

About midway through the second quarter and with NMCC leading 19-12, the Bulldogs’ student section started chanting “overrated,” but it didn’t last long as Jones quickly quieted the naysayers with seven straight points, including two explosive dunks, to extend the lead to 26-12.

NMCC assistant coach Dontre Jenkins and head coach Lennis McFerren embrace�folllowing a 71-38 win over West County in a MSHSAA Class 3 quarterfinal at the Farmington Civic Center on Friday, March 3.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Jones finished with a game-high 31 points and 10 rebounds, while also dishing out four assists, grabbing seven steals and blocking a shot.

“It’s great having a teammate that’s capable of doing things [Jones] can do,” Williamson said. “I’m always proud of him. We stepped up as a team tonight. We’ve been coming together more and working hard for this.”

The Eagles entered the game as a huge favorite but refused to fall into the trap of looking ahead.

NMCC's AJ Ruff (20) pushes the pace�during a 71-38 win over West County in a MSHSAA Class 3 quarterfinal at the Farmington Civic Center on Friday, March 3.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“The coaches do a great job of staying on us to stick to what we know,” Williamson said. “We all knew this was going to be a hard game to get through and they made sure we kept our focus.”

Williamson made an incredible effort play to end the first half where he secured a steal by diving the floor. He then passed ahead to Kayden Minner for a layup in transition to make it 36-22 with just seconds remaining.

Williamson has had quite a redemption story this season after missing all of last season. The 2021 all-stater finished with 20 points, five steals, four assists and two rebounds.

The NMCC cheerleaders root on the Eagles�during a 71-38 win over West County in a MSHSAA Class 3 quarterfinal at the Farmington Civic Center on Friday, March 3.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“It hurt me a lot last year knowing I could help my team,” Williamson said. “Now I’m just focused on being here. Staying focused, motivated and keeping my eye on the goal. I’m going to do everything I possibly can to help us win.”

Brayden Newsom scored inside to push NMCC’s lead to 20 points with 5:41 left in the third quarter, but the teams traded baskets for most of the rest of the quarter.

Jaxon Campbell knocked down a 3-pointer at the buzzer to narrow the lead to 53-32 at the end of the third quarter.

NMCC's Kayden Minner (24) plays defense�during a 71-38 win over West County in a MSHSAA Class 3 quarterfinal at the Farmington Civic Center on Friday, March 3.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Newsom scored again inside at the start of the fourth quarter to make it 57-32. Newsom provided the offense with a nice boost in the second half, where he scored nine of 11 points.

“[Newsom] picked it up and was much more comfortable and confident after halftime,” Jenkins said. “He was finishing around the basket the way we know he can and I don’t think he missed a shot in the second half.”

West County tried multiple defenses to slow NMCC down, including a “triangle-and-two”, “box-and-one" and “man-to-man.”

NMCC's BJ Williamson (5) greets a young fan following�a 71-38 win over West County in a MSHSAA Class 3 quarterfinal at the Farmington Civic Center on Friday, March 3.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“They did a good job trying to keep us off balance,” Jenkins said. “But we settled down, figured it out, and got the ball to our monsters inside. We set the tone on defense early in the game.”

Williamson finished through contact and converted at the free throw line to increase the lead to 30 points and inflict the mercy rule with 6:02 left in the game, and the Eagles were able to let some reserves gain experience during the final five minutes of the game.

It's the second consecutive season NMCC has earned a trip to the final four, and the team is eager to take the next step.

NMCC's Jadis Jones (10) runs in transition�during a 71-38 win over West County in a MSHSAA Class 3 quarterfinal at the Farmington Civic Center on Friday, March 3.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“Two years ago we went down in the state quarterfinals,” Jenkins said. “Last year, we made it to the final four but came up short. This year we want to bring home some hardware and the gold.”

NMCC will face Lafayette County (28-2) on Friday, March 10 at 10 a.m. at the Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield, Missouri.

The Huskers are ranked No. 6, while the Eagles are No. 4. Lafayette County lost 58-56 to Charleston in last season’s Class 3 State Championship Game.

NMCC's Julian Courtois (12) plays defense�during a 71-38 win over West County in a MSHSAA Class 3 quarterfinal at the Farmington Civic Center on Friday, March 3.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“We’re looking forward to getting some rest, and then it’s right back to the drawing board,” Jenkins concluded.

__NMCC 71, WEST COUNTY 38__

West County 7 15 10 6 — 38

Sikeston stands for a photo after winning the MSHSAA Class 5, District 1 Championship on Monday, March 5. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

NMCC 15 21 17 18 — 71

__West County (38) —__ Ty Harlow 15, Levi Hale 10, Jaxon Campbell 7, Chasten Horton 4, Lance Monroe 2. FG: 14. FT: 0-0. F: 17. (3-pointers: Harlow 5, Hale 2, Campbell 1. Fouled out: Horton.

__NMCC (71) — __Jadis Jones 13-17 5-6 31, BJ Williamson 6-12 8-10 19, Brayden Newsom 5-11 1-5 11, AJ Ruff 3-6 0-0 6, Kayden Minner 1-4 0-0 2, Marion Cranford 1-2 0-0 2. FG: 29-53. 14-21. F: 7. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none.)