Semoball

DISTRICT CHAMPS: Burnett’s game-winner lifts Risco boys basketball to district title win over Scott County Central

Scott County Central players let out their emotions after losing to Risco, in the Class 1, District 1 Tournament championship game, at Gideon High School, in Gideon, Mo. (Liza King/Standard Democrat)

GIDEON, Mo. — With time ticking down in regulation, Risco’s entire season laid in the hands off senior Nathan Burnett.

Burnett had all eyes glued to him in the most crucial point of Thursday night’s Class 1, District 1 Tournament championship game. He drove down the lane, found an opening and his floater dropped in.

Risco’s fan section embraced him after that by rushing on the floor, as it defeated defending district champion Scott County Central 62-60 to advance to the Class 1 state tournament for the first time in six years.

Risco players and fans rush the court after winning the Class 1, District 1 Tournament championship against Scott County Central, at Gideon High School, in Gideon, Mo. (Liza King/Standard Democrat)

Sitting at 34 points on the night Burnett’s final bucket was also a historical one.

Coming into Thursday night, Burnett needed 34 points to break the all-time scoring record at Risco. His last basket gave him 36 points, ending a miraculous night and one that he will surely remember for years to come.

“It just means a lot,” Burnett said. “It shows the trust in my teammates and the community behind me. Our previous No. 1 holder wanted it the most for me, he came up to me first and asked if I beat it, so it really just tells a lot about my teammates and how much they trust me and allowed me to get open.”

The past two seasons, Risco (23-5) has not had the best luck against Scott County Central — losing to the Braves in the past two district championship games.

Early on in the game, it looked as if Scott County Central (15-13) was bound to make it a third-straight time of ending the Tigers’ dreams.

Leading by 11 points at halftime and then again heading into the fourth quarter, the Braves looked to be on their way to another state run.

In the second quarter, the Braves built up its 11-point lead, due to a pair of runs at the beginning and end of the frame.

To start the period, Scott County Central went on a 5-0 run, before Burnett hit a 3-pointer to end the brief stretch.

Then once the period came to a close, the Braves went on a 6-0 run to head into halftime with all of the momentum on their side.

“I would like to sit here and say there was never any doubt, but this is a big moment,” Risco head coach Brandon Blankenship said. “This is a big moment for teenage kids. We had to check ourselves and really look deep down to see if we still believed and ultimately we did.”

Coming out of the break, Risco — which was ranked 10th in the state in the latest polls — started to show why it was ranked that high.

Going on a 12-3 run to open the third period, the Tigers clawed right back into the game, trailing 37-35.

Garrett Young led the charge during the run, scoring five points. EJ Myers added a 3-pointer, while James Riddell pitched in with a bucket and knocked down a pair of free throws to total the run.

That though would be the only points the Tigers scored in the period, as Landon Glueck ended the run with a bucket.

From that moment, Scott County Central used Glueck’s bucket as fuel, ending the third on a 9-0 run to head into crunch time up double-digits.

Once the fourth quarter started, Burnett knew what his team needed.

“I knew we needed to get back because the previous two years, we’ve lost to Scott County Central,” Burnett said. “I just really wanted this one, especially with it being my senior year.”

Scoring 20 points in the final period, the Tigers needed every point from Burnett.

Additionally, the Braves also hurt themselves.

With 2:34 left in the game, a technical foul got called on head coach Matt Cline for leaving the coaches box, resulting in free throws for Risco.

Burnett sank one of his three free-throw attempts to push the Tigers right back into the game, but the Braves still held the advantage.

Then with 95 seconds left and the Braves clinging to a two-point lead, Glueck hit a tough fadeaway jump shot to put the Scott County Central up 57-52

On the ensuing possession, though, Risco replied, as Myers hit a 3-pointer with 1:30 left on the clock, cutting the lead to 57-55 and forcing a timeout.

Kioki Johnson then added a bucket at the Braves end to push the lead back up to four points, but striking again was Burnett, who hit a three to cut the lead to just one point, at 59-58.

From that point, it was a foul-line game, as Johnson drew a foul. He sank one of his two free throw attempts to put the Braves up 60-58.

Burnett would tie the game on the next possession, as he drove to the lane and drew contact to head to the charity stripe. He converted on both of his attempts to tie the game at 60.

With a chance to take the lead late, Scott County Central was looking to go inside for a higher percentage bucket but missed the shot.

Never leading at one point in the game, Burnett collected the rebound and then finished off the game in style, with the most important lead change of the contest.

“When we got that last rebound, I looked up at the clock, and there was about six seconds left,” Burnett said. “I was going to pass it if they collapsed on me, but no one really got to me, and I just shot it. I thought I missed it; it went in, and we just went crazy, it was awesome.”

Never knowing if they were going to be in this position from what the first three quarters looked like, an emotional Blankenship said that he is nothing short of proud of his team.

“Just so humbled, so blessed,” Blankenship said. “Our kids are just fighters. First half, Scott Central — hats off to them — they brought it to us. They’re such a great program; there’s so much pride over there on that side. They got good players, Cline always has them ready, always has them prepared, and for us to come out with that, it’s just a testament to how much heart and fight those guys have.”

Thursday was a game that the Braves had in the palms of their hands.

Scott County Central couldn’t buy a bucket in the latter stages of the game, and Cline said that it was due to the style of play that Risco was able to force.

“They sped us up, and we panicked a little bit,” Cline said. “We bit right with it. We turned the ball over, multiple times there in the fourth quarter. We wouldn’t slow down and get into an offense; we were just trying to go too fast.”

Risco will play No. 6 South Iron in the Class 1 sectionals, on Tuesday night at Bloomfield High School. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.

SCC1717121460
Risco1310122762

SCC (60) — Kioki Johnson 13, Edward Farr 3, Keshawn Sanders 10, Landon Glueck 22, Garry Wilkerson 11. FG 24, FT 9-17, F 15. (3-pointers: Glueck 2, Wilkerson. Fouled out: none)

Risco (62) — EJ Myers 11, Nathan Burnett 36, Treston Meese 2, Garrett Young 9, James Riddell 3. FG 21, FT 12-16, F 18. (3-pointers: Myers 2, Burnett 4, Young. Fouled out: none)

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: