NMCC dunks Kelly, 71-41

NEW MADRID -- The Kelly Hawks are still in search of their first win of the season following a 72-31 loss on the road to the New Madrid County Central Eagles on Friday night. The Eagles (6-6) used the victory to pull back to the .500 mark on the season.

Out of the gate, it appeared that the Hawks were going to make a game out of it, matching NMCC with nearly each basket for the first few minutes. However, a 7-0 run put the Eagles ahead by five, then following the last Kelly field goal of the quarter, NMCC ended the frame on a 9-0 run to lead 18-6 after one.

The two split the scoreboard in the opening minutes of the second quarter then another double-figure run led to a significant 28-11 Eagle lead. The two clubs finished out the quarter with five more points apiece as NMCC carried a 33-16 lead into the locker room at the half.

The third quarter was the final blow for the Hawks. The 17-point deficit that started off the half was quickly extended in the Eagles' corner, and topped off by two impressive dunks from 6-5 senior Kony Ealy.

Heading into the final eight minutes NMCC held a 67-23 edge on their visiting opponent.

With the clock running steadily in the fourth, Kelly scored the first two field goals and eventually outscored the Eagles 8-5 in the quarter, but the damage had been done in the previous 24 minutes, giving NMCC the victory.

NMCC head coach Travis Day said after the game that the offensive production shown on Friday evening has been needed for his squad for quite some time.

"It was long overdue," said Day. "I've been telling the guys that we cure one ailment, which is turnovers, then we start missing wide-open layups and jump shots. We still missed too many for me, but we're getting better at it. I tell the guys that every game is a big game for us."

The big game came not only from one player in an Eagles uniform, but from two, Ealy and William Bledsoe. Both of NMCC's big men had huge dunks and a handful of blocks in the game and both finished with 19 points apiece.

G'Darius Stevenson ate up the offensive and defensive glass while adding 12 points and teammate Dontre Jenkins scored nine, including two 3-pointers, in his second game back from injury.

Stout competition will roll into New Madrid this coming week, with conference games against both Charleston, on Tuesday, and Cape Central, on Friday.

As for Kelly head coach Nate Wills' take on his team's performance Friday evening, he felt like they did exactly what they wanted to in the first 16 minutes.

"We came out and executed our game plan for the first two quarters," said Wills. "I thought we were doing some good things. We've been working real hard on trying to be patient with the ball and work it around and just doing the little things right.

"They (NMCC) had a lot of size and I thought we rebounded really well for being outmatched on size. But, give New Madrid credit, because after that second quarter they turned up the defensive pressure and really caused some turnovers for us and converted those into baskets."

Wills went on to say that Day has his squad playing at a 'high level of energy' right now and that the Eagles are tough to beat in their own gym. He added that his squad won't go home empty-handed following the loss, but instead will learn from the defeat.

"I think one of the things we've got to take away from this, is that we've got to be more mature with the basketball and find some guys that are willing to step up and handle some pressure, and just keep our composure on the offensive end," he said. "Every day I see little things that we're doing. We're going in the right direction, it's just a matter of putting it together for four quarters and making a run and withstanding other teams' runs. That's going to be one thing that's high on our priority list, is battling through."

Brandon Dambach and Michael Fisher led the Hawks in scoring, finishing with seven points apiece in the loss.

The road ahead for Kelly won't get any easier as they travel to Kennett on Tuesday evening.

Junior Varsity

In junior varsity action, the Eagles found themselves victorious by a final score of 61-35. A five point lead after one quarter of play, gave way to a 28-17 lead at the break.

NMCC outscored the Hawks 33-18 in the second half to earn the win.

Leading the way for the Eagles were Gabe Smith and CJ Chism. Smith racked up 16 points while Chism was right behind with 15 of his own.

Ian Householder scored 14 in the loss for Kelly.

Kelly 6 10 7 8 -- 31

NMCC 18 15 34 5 -- 72

KELLY (31) -- Trent Felter 4, Stosh Lovett 5, Ty Rampley 2, Garrett Alsup 2, Michael Fisher 7, Dustin Crowden 4, Brandon Dambach 7. FG 13, FT 4-6, F 18. (3-pointers -- Fisher 1. Fouled out -- none).

NMCC (72) -- Dontre Jenkins 9, Keith Holmes 5, Jamareia Jones 3, G'Darius Stevenson 12, Kony Ealy 19, CJ Chism 3, William Bledsoe 19, Michael Darter 2. FG 29, FT 11-26, F 13. (3-pointers -- Jenkins 2, Ealy 1. Fouled out -- none).