NMCC wins physical contest over Lift for Life

CHARLESTON — Despite not playing for a week, New Madrid County Central showed very little rustiness in a 69-44 dismantling of Lift for Life Academy in the Charleston 6th Man Shootout Saturday.

Due to winter weather that rolled into the area, NMCC had been unable to even practice since their 62-50 loss to Logan-Rogersville in the third-place game of the Nixa Invitational Jan. 28. But it didn’t take long for the Eagles to regain their mid-season form.

Trailing 7-4 midway through the first quarter, NMCC got two quick baskets from junior standouts Jadis Jones and BJ Williamson to pull ahead 8-7 and never trailed the remainder of the game.

NMCC's Julian Courtois is fouled going up for a rebound against Lift for Life in the Charleston 6th Man Shootout Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (David Jenkins photo)

“We’ve got to have those guys come out and play hard and play together and get the other guys going as well,” said NMCC assistant coach Dontre Jenkins.

Jones, who finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, capped the first quarter off with a shot at the buzzer to put NMCC up 17-10.

Williamson, who scored a game-high 21 points, scored 12 points in the second quarter as the Eagles pushed out to a 41-20 halftime lead.

NMCC's Jadis Jones looks for an open teammate against Lift for Life in the Charleston 6th Man Shootout Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (David Jenkins photo)

Neither team was able to find much flow in the physical game that featured 41 fouls and 45 free throws.

“I think we came out early and adjusted to it,” Jenkins said of the physical play. “When you play those St. Louis teams that’s what type of game they’re trying to play. Get up and down and try to rough you up a little bit and I think we held our composure for the most part.”

NMCC was unable to take full advantage of the foul situation, finishing just 12 of 32 from the free throw line.

But what they missed at the free throw line, the Eagles made up on the defensive end, forcing 19 turnovers, with many of them ending in easy baskets on the offensive end.

“Legs probably got a little heavy from the first half coming out that second half, but we fought together, played good defense and picked up some easy buckets to keep us awake,” Jenkins said.

While Jones and Williamson grab most of the headlines, NMCC’s Brayden Newson can’t be forgotten. The 6-5 senior scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds Saturday.

“That’s what kind of guy he is,” Jenkins said. “He’s going to be our glue guy because all the focus is going to be on BJ and Jadis. So, when he can step up and have a good game like he did tonight it helps us out big-time.”

NMCC (13-7) will be back in action Tuesday when they play at Caruthersville.

Lift for Life 10 10 16 8 — 44

NMCC 17 24 16 12 — 69

LFLA (44) — Jace Kern 3, Odis Grissom 17, LaJuan Johnson 2, Dennis Olds 12, Raheem Thombadon 6, Blake Wilson 2, Jordan Reid 2. FG 14, FT 10-13, F 25. (3-pointers: Grissom 4, Kern 1, Olds 1. Fouled out: Johnson)

NMCC (69) — BJ Williamson 21, Jadis Jones 16, Re’Mond Brooks 2, AJ Ruff 7, Kayden Minner 2, Brayden Newson 13, Guillherme Mountainheiro 6, Lee Kennedy 2. FG 29, FT 12-32, F 16. (3-pointers: Williamson 3. Fouled out: none)