Top seeds see little resistance

With Leopold playing a zone defense to try to shut down Central's inside game, outside shots were available for the Tigers.

Andrew Williams took advantage with a first-half 3-point barrage that helped carry the sixth-seeded Tigers past No. 11 Leopold 71-37 in Saturday's first round of the 65th annual Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

Williams, a 6-foot-5 junior guard, scored 16 first-half points -- 15 coming on five 3-pointers -- as Central led 42-21 at the break.

"They were trying to stop our big guys and I was open," said Williams, who finished with 19 points while making six of Central's seven 3-pointers.

Williams said he actually was a little shaky early in the game. After making his first 3-pointer just 30 seconds into the contest, he was off on his next few attempts.

Central's Terrance Howard sails in for a layup against Leopold during their opening-round game Saturday at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament. (LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourin.com)

"I was getting a little frustrated at the beginning because I made my first one and then missed two or three straight," he said. "But then I found my rhythm."

That coincided with the Tigers pulling away after they led just 17-13 after the first quarter.

Williams nailed three of his 3-pointers in a second period that saw Central (5-2) outscore Leopold (6-3) 25-8.

It was 19-16 when Williams drilled a 3-pointer, then just seconds later he drained another one from beyond the arc and was fouled. His rare four-point play put Central up 26-16, and the Tigers never looked back.

"I knew the shot was going in. I was hoping they'd call the foul," Williams said.

Leopold's John Bohnsack, front, manuevers the ball around Cape Central's Kevin Casasola. (LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourin.com)

Senior guard Kevin Casasola, who led the Tigers with 20 points, canned a 3-pointer less than 30 seconds after Williams' four-point play to make it 29-16. Casasola had 12 first-half points.

A basket inside by 6-5 junior forward James Lane capped a 12-0 run as the Tigers opened a 31-16 lead. Lane finished with 15 points.

"We did some things better today," said Casasola, who did the bulk of his offensive damage on fast breaks or drives to the hoop. "Overall we played good."

Central coach Drew Church said he knew outside shots would be available based on Leopold's defensive strategy.

"They came out in that 2-3 zone. They kind of sat back and took away our bigs," Church said. "It was good to see Andrew step up and hit some shots. He's a good shooter when he gets set.

Cape Central and Leopold players struggle get control of a loose ball during Saturday's game at the Show Me Center. (LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourin.com)

"Kevin always gives us a lot of effort every possession. He's more confident this year."

Senior guard Lance Seiler paced Leopold with 14 points. Junior guard John Bohnsack added 12 points.

"Leopold is a good team. They play hard," Church said.

Leopold coach Shawn Kinder said he knew it would be difficult to take away all of Central's offensive options. He was hoping the Tigers would be cold from outside.

"It's kind of pick your poison. Our game plan was to stop their inside game," Kinder said. "They shot the ball real well. No. 20 [Williams] hurt us."

Leopold's Anthony Seabaugh, right, blocks a shot by Cape Central's Andrew Williams. (LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourin.com)

After scoring the game's first five points, Central fell behind 7-5.

A 9-0 run by the Tigers put them ahead for good and they pulled away in the second quarter before blowing things wide open in the final half.

Now Central will turn its attention to rival Jackson in Monday's quarterfinal round. The Indians are seeded third.

"They're a good team and we're pumped," Williams said. "It's going to be a great atmosphere."

Leopold 13 8 11 5 -- 37

Central 17 25 15 14 -- 71

LEOPOLD (37) -- Kyle Stroder 2, David Fluchel 2, John Bohnsack 12, Lance Seiler 14, Anthony Seabaugh 7. FG 14, FT 5-5, F 8. (3-pointers: Bohnsack 2, Seiler 2. Fouled out: none)

CENTRAL (71) -- Blake Ozbun 4, Andrew Williams 19, T.J. Tisdale 3, James Lane 15, Terrance Howard 8, Kevin Casasola 20, Zach Boerboom 2. FG 30, FT 4-7, F 10. (3-pointers: Williams 6, Casasola 1. Fouled out: none)