Patience pays off as Central makes play for No. 2 seed

~ The Tigers prevailed Tuesday against Class 5 district rival Jackson in a game that showcased young talent.

Central coach Derek McCord has preached all season about the importance of patience and about the enormous potential of his young squad.

The Tigers have four sophomores and a junior among their main rotation. Early in the season, Central's youth was exposed, with a 20-point loss at the hands of Notre Dame's relentless press during the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

An overtime win at home over state-ranked Doniphan seemed to spark the Tigers, and Tuesday's win against rival Jackson showed how far the Tigers have come.

Central is 12-10 with four games remaining before the start of district play. The Tigers will host the Class 5 District 1 tournament.

"All of a sudden, for our sophomore guards who've been playing a lot it's a second season," he said.

Sophomore guards Jajuan Bell, Adrian Cox and Derek Walker have each brought their own set of skills to the floor. Bell and Cox each provide the Tigers with 3-point threats, and their quickness can cause problems on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.

While not tall in stature -- Central's three sophomore guards all stand 5-foot-10 or shorter -- Bell, Cox and Walker all played tall in Central's win over the Indians. Bell and Cox combined for 23 points, and Walker made his biggest impact on the defensive end.

"Height is important, but I think quickness is a key factor to success as well," McCord said.

Cox has done his damage off the bench lately, giving the Tigers a shot in the arm as a sixth man. Against the Indians, Cox scored seven of his 10 points during a span in which Central outscored Jackson 17-2.

"He scored 10 points in a four-minute spread," McCord said. "He's like instant offense, just add water."

While the Tigers do not have as many impact seniors as the Indians, Jackson had plenty of young talent on display Tuesday as well. Sophomore forwards Spencer Goodman and Hunter Grantham scored 20 and 16 points, respectively. Sophomore guard Jake Leet is also returning to form for the Indians after missing several games due to injury.

Goodman has had several double-digit scoring performances since the loss of senior Drue McNeely. Over the past two games Goodman has averaged 17.5 points.

"He's shot the ball well the last few games," Jackson coach Darrin Scott said.

The Indians will need their young players to continue to step up in order to get Jackson out of a recent slide. Jackson (16-7) has lost three straight and four of six games with two home games remaining. The Indians also will be in Class 5 District 1 along with Farmington and two-time defending state champion Poplar Bluff.

Scott said despite the losses -- two of those losses have come to SEMO Conference leaders Poplar Bluff and Charleston -- he feels good about Jackson's recent play.

"I feel a lot better about us right now than I have the past few weeks," he said.