RICHLAND HOLDS OFF DELTA

ORAN -- Richland High's boys basketball team might not be favored to repeat its Class 1A state basketball championship this season, but the Rebels certainly aren't going to relinquish their crown without a fight.

That has been evident all season and it was even more apparent Thursday night as the second-seeded Rebels upended fourth-seeded Delta 76-67 in the championship game of the Class 1A, District 2 Tournament.

The victory, in front of a packed house at Oran High, sends the 23-4 Rebels into Monday's 8 p.m. 1A regional game at Sikeston High against the winner of District 1.

Delta ends its season with an 18-11 record.

"Some of these guys were a part of that team last year," said Richland coach Doyle Pitts, who returned one full-time starter and several part-time starters -- but lost two all-staters -- from a year ago. "But any time you're a senior, you want one of your own.

"A lot of people really wrote us off this year. They didn't think we'd be very good. We weren't even favored to win this district. But those kids don't want it to end."

Richland's big-game experience might have been the most important factor Thursday night as the Rebels had to pull out all the stops to overcome a determined bunch of Bobcats.

The Rebels used a late 9-0 run to pull away after Delta had rallied for a 64-64 tie in the fourth quarter.

"I think our experience definitely paid off at the end," said Pitts.

Tony Herrion, the only full-time starter back from last year's state championship team, led the Rebels with 27 points. He got support from fellow seniors Jeremy Conner (19 points), Kurt Kelley (14) and Eric Blair (13).

Delta was led by Jeremiah Cook with 23 points. Garrett DeBrock had 14 and Sammy Below 10.

"It was a great game," said Delta coach Nate Crowden. "We just came up short at the end."

DeBrock typified the heart and determination that Delta showed all night. He suffered a gash near his eye late in the first half and had to go to the locker room to get bandaged up.

When DeBrock returned to the court midway through the third quarter -- wearing a bandage around his head -- Delta's crowd let out a deafening roar.

And DeBrock made his presence felt with a 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer that sliced Richland's lead to 58-56.

Delta -- which led 21-15 after one quarter but fell behind 43-38 at halftime -- continued to surge early in the final period.

Kenny Gaebler's basket and free throw put the Bobcats ahead 60-58 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.

Richland went back ahead as a 6-0 run made it 64-60, but Cook scored four straight points to tie the contest at 64-all midway through the period.

The Bobcats then had two straight possessions with a chance to take the lead -- but they turned the ball over each time.

Richland finally capitalized with 2:35 left as Conner's inside basket put the Rebels ahead for good at 66-64.

Another Delta turnover led to Kelley's inside bucket with 1:45 left that made it 68-64. Herrion then grabbed a defensive rebound and drove the length of the court for a basket at the 1:33 mark, putting the Rebels ahead 70-64.

Delta missed another shot and Richland continued its run. Kelley made one of two free throws at the 1:07 mark and then Kelley scored a fast-break layup with 55 seconds left to make it 73-64.

The Bobcats tried to come back as Below's 3-pointer pulled them to within 73-67 with 45 seconds left. But Delta could get no closer.

"We forced a lot of things late," Crowden said. "Our execution was not good down the stretch."

So the Rebels march on as they attempt to repeat as 1A state champions.

"These kids just want to keep playing," said Pitts. "Hopefully they'll be able to keep doing it."