NMCC splits games at Marshall County Hoopfest

NMCC's BJ Williamson (5) makes a contested layup during a 58-34 win over Memphis Day Academy at the Riverbend Shootout on Saturday, Nov. 26. 

Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

BENTON, Ky. — New Madrid County Central split a pair of games while competing in the Marshall County Hoopfest in Benton, Kentucky this past weekend.

The Class 3, No. 2 Eagles (4-1) fell 65-60 to Louisville Christian Academy (Ky.) on Friday, Dec. 2, but bounced back with a 61-54 win over Paducah Tilghman (Ky.) on Saturday, Dec. 3.

“We started slowly in the first game and they made us pay,” said NMCC coach Dontre Jenkins. “They were a well-coached team. If we made a mistake or were out of position on the defensive end, they made us pay for it.”

NMCC cut the lead to one point late in the fourth quarter but was unable to ever capture the lead. Jadis Jones finished the game with 32 points and 17 rebounds, while BJ Williamson had 16 points and Brayden Newsom finished with 10 points.

“We came out had some early turnovers in the second game, but then we picked it on the defensive end,” Jenkins said. “We played good defense as a team we had several guys sacrificing their bodies by diving on the floor and taking charges. That’s the type of energy we have to have a night in and night out on the defensive end of the ball.”

Jones and Williamson scored 22 and 20, respectively. AJ Ruff also had a good night defensively finishing with six rebounds, five steals and took two charges from his point guard position.

Class 3, No. 1 Charleston also competed at the event, playing just one game on Saturday, Dec. 3, and falling 76-72 in double overtime to McCracken County (Ky.).

Louisville Christian Academy 65, New Madrid County Central 60

New Madrid County Central 61, Paducah Tilghman 54