Risco, Clarkton, Naylor advance in C1D1 tournament

GIDEON – Monday's Class 1 District 1 boys basketball tournament pitted six area programs against each other at the Gideon High School Field House.

__ (2) Risco vs (7) North Pemiscot__

In game one, the Risco Tigers played the North Pemiscot Mustangs for a spot at Wednesday's semifinal matchups.

The Tigers whipped the Mustangs in a 76-17 rout that found North Pemiscot's offensive game lacking direction and unable to score during the first period. That quarter ended with the Tigers on top 22-0.

The game continued to be bleak for North Pemiscot who trailed the Tigers 43-9 at the half. The Tigers scored another 25 points before the Mustangs answered.

Risco coach Brandon Blankenship, who recently attained his 300th win in his 21st year at Risco, attributed the win to his players' defensive skills.

"Defense is a premium," Blankenship said. "A strong defense will keep you in just about any ball game.”

"We wanted to make sure our guys get in and get used to playing here," he added. "We're looking forward to Wednesday's game."

Risco guard Jon Smith aims for the goal against North Pemiscot�s Garrison Wilson-Cooley Monday at Gideon.Steve Hankins, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Risco's Jon Smith was the Tiger's high scorer and the game's top gun with 15 points to his credit. North Pemiscot's Carson Busby scored six points to lead the Mustangs.

Risco's Ayden Denson hit two three-point shots from the outside for six points and North Pemiscot's Bryson Miller hit a solo three pointer for the Mustangs.

__ (3) Clarkton vs (6) Southland__

Game two featured the Clarkton Reindeer and the Southland Rebels, and fans watched as the Reindeer took control and downed the Rebels 49-43.

The match included a few floor crashes, tussles for the ball and one moment found the Reindeer's Owen Morgan a couple rows deep in the stands, the result of a hot pass fired off target.

Although Clarkton's James Johnson played a superior game and scored 16 points for the Reindeer, Southland's Ethan Huber quietly scored 27 for the Rebels, including a three-point goal from the top of the key.

Despite the win, Clarkton coach Cole McBroom had mixed feelings about the game.

"Our energy was very, very low," McBroom noted. "We didn't play with a bit of fire.”

“But I'll take two more six-point wins in a heartbeat," he said regarding the week's semifinals and championship. "The Rebels are very skilled, and that reflects the coaching there. We'll play Risco Wednesday night, and if we don't bring the fire, we might as well stay home. Risco's is a very competitive program. We'll have to play our best game to beat them."

__ (4) Naylor vs (5) Gideon__

Although the opening night games featured a blowout by Risco against North Pemiscot and a close match between Clarkton and Southland, the most exciting game of the evening was the final contest as the Naylor Eagles downed the tournament host Gideon Bulldogs in overtime.

Naylor center Sam Rose, forward Colby Sullivan (30) and guard Preston Johnson watch for a rebound Monday against the Gideon Bulldogs. Naylor won in overtime 48-41.Steve Hankins, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Naylor took the tip and subsequently drew a foul to put the Eagles on the board first, but the Bulldogs roared back to lead 12-5 going into the second period behind two three-point conversions by Gideon freshman guard Bryden Knapp.

The Bulldogs continued the action heading into the half and led the Eagles by 11 points at the buzzer.

But that lead vanished in the final two periods and found the Bulldogs ahead by just one point 34-33 with 4:54 left in the fourth period.

With the game tied 36-36 and less than 30 seconds remaining, the teams battled for the lead. Each squad scored again to bring the score to 38-38 at the fourth-period buzzer.

A timeout allowed the teams to catch their breaths prior to a four-minute overtime before play resumed.

The score remained tight for the next few minutes as Gideon's Bret Hufford scored one of two free throws, which put Gideon on top 39-38 with 2:50 left in overtime.

A few seconds later the lead went to Naylor, 40-39, with a bucket by Sam Rose.

The Eagles continued leading offensively from the foul line and defensively from intercepted passes.

The Bulldogs failed to convert and trailed the Eagles 44-39 with 50 seconds left on the clock.

Gideon's Knapp guided the team throughout the game and hit a layup bringing the score to 44-41 with 39.4 seconds left in overtime.

Naylor forward, senior Damian Thilman, hit a free throw followed by senior guard H. Woolard, who stepped to the line and sank two free throws bringing the score to 46-41 with 26 seconds remaining.

Fans cheered on both teams until the final buzzer sounded and found the Bulldogs defeated by just seven points, 48-41.

Naylor coach Edward Moore echoed Risco coach Blankenship's sentiments regarding defense winning games.

"We played hard and we played defense," Moore noted. "We had problems in the first half. We had a bad first half. But strong defense, that's the game we play. Our defense kept us in the game."

Gideon coach Jeremy Walker said he was proud of his team's effort and added the young squad might have suffered from exhaustion during the second half.

"I think we just ran out of gas," Walker said. "With our youth, we struggle with pressure and zones. (Coach Moore) changed up their defense in the second half and went man-to-man.”

"Tonight was a real credit to their coaching staff,” he added. “I think his guys did a good job on the court. I mean, we were up by 11 and lost in overtime, the first overtime for both teams this year. And Naylor's freshmen really stepped up. It was a fantastic experience and one we won't soon forget."

Tournament play continues with semifinals at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Gideon Gideon High School. Naylor takes on Delta C-7 at p.m., and Clarkton faces Risco at 7:15 p.m.