Risco advances to semifinals in Clarkton Holiday Tournament

CLARKTON -- The Risco Tigers will advance to the semifinal round of the Clarkton Holiday Tournament as they defeated Gideon 75-65 in first round action Tuesday night in Clarkton.

The Tigers (5-1) have now won five games in a row and head coach Brandon Blankenship was pleased with Tuesday's outing.

"It was a big win for us," Blankenship said Tuesday night. "Gideon was the four seed and we (Risco) were the five seed. This is five wins in a row for us now."

Risco was challenged by the Gideon squad but used key free throws in the fourth quarter to secure the win. The Tigers were 18 for 24 at the free throw line Tuesday night.

"We played well down the stretch," Blankenship said. "It was a five point game going into the fourth quarter, but we were able to extend that by making free throws down the stretch."

Blankeship was also pleased with ball distribution, as four Risco players scored in the doulbe digits Tuesday night.

"It's good to have that many guys in double figures," he said. "That shows that you are spreading it around."

The Tigers will take on the winner of Gosnell, Ark. and Hayti's junior varsity in the semifinal round tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Clarkton.