SportsFebruary 29, 2024
Tempers flare in sectional showdown, NMCC claims hard-fought win over Charleston
CHARLESTON, Mo. — Emotions boiled over as New Madrid County Central’s fight for back-to-back state titles took a chaotic turn in a heated 74-55 sectional round win at Charleston on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Both teams put in the work, scrapping for every board and loose ball, the intensity reflecting the high stakes of the rivalry matchup. However, it was the Class 3 No. 1 Eagles’ (25-3) championship mettle and veteran poise that ultimately outmatched the Bluejays (14-15) and the charged atmosphere...
Dennis Marshall - Standard-Democrat
CHARLESTON, Mo. — Emotions boiled over as New Madrid County Central’s fight for back-to-back state titles took a chaotic turn in a heated 74-55 sectional round win at Charleston on Tuesday, Feb. 27.
Both teams put in the work, scrapping for every board and loose ball, the intensity reflecting the high stakes of the rivalry matchup. However, it was the Class 3 No. 1 Eagles’ (25-3) championship mettle and veteran poise that ultimately outmatched the Bluejays (14-15) and the charged atmosphere.
“We knew it would be physical and what kind of game it would be,” said NMCC coach Dontre Jenkins. “Our main focus was to stay focused on the game and keep our composure. We weren’t going to let ourselves get wrapped up in the crowd or anything going on off the court. We had our mind set on one thing: Trying to get to a state championship.”
Jadis Jones wasted no time, scoring the game's first basket with a quick up-and-under move. Charleston answered back with Ko'Terrion Owens' conventional 3-point play, but the lead changed hands again as Marvion Cranford snagged an offensive rebound and put NMCC back in front.
The packed gym buzzed with energy and the capacity crowd witnessed a fast-paced start as Jones, Cranford and Ra’Mond Brooks continued the inside attack.
Jones slashed to the basket, Brooks cleaned up the boards with offensive rebounds, and Cranford finished strong around the rim, extending NMCC's lead to 10-3.
“[Cranford and Brooks] continue to step up,” Jenkins said. “When teams focus so much on stopping [Jones and Williamson], it creates opportunities for other guys – they're willing to find the open man, which benefits everyone."
The Eagles defense forced early turnovers, and Jones electrified the crowd with a steal and a highlight reel hammer after a steal, pushing the lead to 16-5 and forcing a Bluejays’ timeout.
Charleston regrouped and the break proved effective. Owens found Owen Willis for an easy score, and a late basket by Tayshon Clark cut the deficit to 18-11 at the end of the first quarter.
Jones opened the second quarter with a finesse finish, showing off his footwork and ability to score in traffic. Charleston tried to lock down BJ Williamson with a faceguard, but he found some breathing room and buried a long-range 3-point shot to push the lead to 25-15 with 6:01 left in the second quarter.
With a double-figure lead, the Eagles appeared to underestimate the Bluejays’ resolve, leading to a lapse in defensive focus for the remainder of the second quarter.
Clark hit a clutch 3-pointer to cut the lead back to single digits and followed it up with a smooth layup in transition. Then, Deshaun Henderson found Willis for a corner triple that narrowed the gap to 31-25 at halftime.
Charleston's adjustments, switching between a box-and-one, triangle-and-two, and a 3-2 zone, seemed to disrupt NMCC’s rhythm.
“We knew they were going to throw some crazy stuff at us.,” Jenkins said. “They couldn’t play us man-to-man or one-on-one because [Jones and Williamson] would have a field day. We knew they were going to throw different defenses at us and we were prepared for that.”
Owens muscled inside, fighting through a crowd of defenders for a tough rebound and putback to narrow it to 31-27 on the opening bucket of the second half, but Williamson immediately responded, slicing through the defense for a fastbreak layup to push NMCC's lead back to multiple possessions.
Clark refused to let Charleston fade, hitting a contested shot through contact, but Jones answered back, stripping the ball and converting the steal into a layup.
Williamson found the shooting touch from downtown, draining a deep triple to push the lead to 38-29. But he wasn’t done yet —AJ Ruff's perfectly timed screen gave him the space he needed to bury another 3-pointer, extending the NMCC advantage to 41-31 with 4:13 left in the third quarter.
Jones delivered the game's defining play with about two minutes left in the quarter. In a flash, he denied a shot attempt – not with a mere swat, but by snatching the ball out off the backboard with two hands, reminiscent of Wilt Chamberlain's legendary dominance.
His quick thinking led to an instant outlet pass to a streaking Williamson, who slammed the ball home, increasing NMCC's lead to 49-38.
“Night in and night out, [Jones and Williamson] are going to get their shot up and get their points,” Jenkins said. “But the surrounding teammates are stepping up and answering the challenge. It’s been a big difference for us the last three games.”
Despite the incredible play, Charleston wouldn’t back down. Clark kept the Bluejays’ hopes alive with a clutch 3-pointer, but the Eagles retained a double-figure advantage heading into the final quarter.
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Williamson made another 3-pointer and Ruff hit a teardrop in the lane with 7:12 left in the fourth quarter to make it 58-43.
The game took a shocking and unexpected turn with 6:30 left in the fourth quarter when a Charleston player delivered a malicious blow to the head of an NMCC player. The incident sparked immediate chaos, forcing officials to send both teams to their locker rooms and leading to a significant delay.
Charleston administrators, attempting to restore order, threatened to clear the gymnasium if the crowd did not calm down.
The game was eventually resumed after a roughly 10-minute break to address the situation.
“As an 18-year-old, I’m not sure that I would have been able to keep my composure in that situation and not react,” Jenkins said. “It says a lot about his character and the love and respect he has for the game.
“He knew that if he retaliated, he would let his teammates down and he was the bigger person,” Jenkins said. “It speaks volumes of who he is, which is a class-act kid, who tries to do everything the right way and puts his teammates first.”
Despite the distraction, NMCC maintained its focus. Williamson extended the lead to 17 with a layup, and Jones added to the advantage with a high-arching shot that found its mark, making the score 63-45 with about five minutes remaining. Jones then showcased his playmaking ability, assisting Brooks for a basket that pushed the lead to 66-45.
With roughly one minute left, the Eagles were able to clear their bench.
“The stoppage in the game allowed me to talk to them and calm everyone down,” Jenkins said. “They did a great job handling that moment, keeping their composure and then coming back out with an answer.”
NMCC finished at 65 percent from the field, proving too much for Charleston, which shot a respectable 49 percent but couldn’t keep pace.
Jones stuffed the stat sheet with 28 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and two steals.
Brooks was a model of efficiency, going a perfect 7-for-7 from the field en route to his 14 points. He also added five rebounds, a block, and an assist.
Williamson stretched the defense with his 4-of-6 performance from outside, finishing with 18 points and four assists.
Ruff contributed in multiple ways, tallying seven points, five rebounds, five assists, and a steal.
Charleston was led by the trio of Willis (15 points), Clark (14 points), and Owens (13 points). Freshman Treshaun Schandon also provided a spark for the Bluejays with 8 points.
The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the Bluejays, resulting in a rare losing season – their first since 1999.
“It’s been an interesting season with this group of guys,” said Charleston coach Jamarcus Williams. “I’m proud of my guys for the way they battled, competed and never hung their heads or gave up. Despite how the game finished, it’s still a good group to coach.
“Ending a season like this, the guys who are coming back are ready to work,” he concluded. “Everyone in the locker room was upset and I’m sure nobody wants to experience this feeling again. I’m confident we’ll have a good offseason and we’ll be ready for next season.”
NMCC advances to the MSHSAA Class 3 quarterfinals, taking on Kingston (19-9) on Saturday, March 2 at 4 p.m. at Park Hills Central High School.
All tickets for the game must be purchased digitally.
__NMCC 74, CHARLESTON 55__
NMCC 18 13 22 21 — 74
Charleston 11 14 18 12 — 55
NMCC (74) — Jadis Jones 28, BJ Williamson 18, Ra’Mond Brooks 14, AJ Ruff 7, Marvion Cranford 4, Ryleigh Hardin 3. FG: 33. FT: 3-12. F: 18. (3-pointers: Williamson 4. Fouled out: None.)
Charleston (55) — Owen Willis 15, Tayshon Clark 14, Ko’Terrion Owens 13, Treshaun Schandon 8, Zachyran Thomas 4, Gorvarion Johnson 1. FG: 21. FT: 10-16. F: 17. (3-pointers: Clark 2, Willis 1. Fouled out: Clark.)
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