NMCC wins defensive struggle

NEW MADRID -- The New Madrid County Central Eagles escaped a fourth-quarter surge from the visiting Blytheville Chickasaws on Tuesday night to hold on for a 39-32 victory. The win pulls the Eagles to a 5-6 record heading into another home match-up on Friday night against the Kelly Hawks.

As for the game action in Tuesday's win, there wasn't a lot of offense from either squad.

NMCC head coach Travis Day said after the game that at least they walked away with the victory.

"It was one of those," said Day. "It wasn't pretty, but it's a 'W.' We made too many costly mistakes, but it was also them (Blytheville's defense). They came out with a great game plan. They would hold the ball and wait until we were relaxed on defense, then they would get us with a back cut.

"We adjusted and we played well. Once we got the lead we never relinquished the lead, (but) I wish we would've built on the lead."

The two clubs battled back and forth late in the first quarter and early in the second before the Eagles pulled ahead by as many as seven, but lead by five at the half, 22-17.

They maintained a five point lead at the end of the third, then outscored the Chickasaws 11-9 in the fourth for the seven point win.

NMCC welcomed back Dontre Jenkins who has missed most of the season due to injury, and in the fourth quarter his addition paid off.

The senior guard took control of the ball late in the game, directing traffic for his teammates against the Chickasaw defense. He said after the game that he was glad to hit the floor once again.

"I've got to get out there and lead the younger kids," said Jenkins. "They stepped up while I was out, I give them credit for that, but I've got to come back and lead the team as a senior."

"It felt alright," he said of his return. "I had a couple of mistakes, but that's what you expect from somebody that's been out for a while and not practicing that much."

Day said after the game that it was good to have his 'floor general' back out there in uniform.

"That was new to us," he said of Jenkins' return. "He's getting the rust off and getting the conditioning at the same time."

Senior Kony Ealy led the way with 19 points and was a solid 9-for-12 at the charity stripe. G'Darius Stevenson chipped in eight points and Keith Holmes tacked on six.

Blytheville was led by Brandon Thompson's 12 point night while Danny Lee added nine in the losing effort.

"We'll come back in tomorrow and build and try to get everybody healthy so we can make that run in February," said Day.

Friday night's contest against the visiting Kelly Hawks will begin with junior varsity action at 6 p.m. with varsity to follow.

Blytheville 10 7 6 9 -- 32

NMCC 9 13 6 11 -- 39

BLYTHEVILLE (32) -- Brandon Thompson 12, Marques Walker 3, Lavester Stone 6, Kyle Walker 2, Danny Lee 9. FG 14, FT 3-5, F 17. (3-pointers -- Walker 1. Fouled out -- K Walker).

NMCC (39) -- Dontre Jenkins 2, Lamonte Nelson 2, Keith Holmes 6, G'Darius Stevenson 8, Kony Ealy 19, William Bledsoe 2. FG 14, FT 10-16, F 10. (3-pointers -- Holmes 1. Fouled out -- none).