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Nevada boys overwhelm Wildcats early, often
By Joe Warren
Nevada Daily Mail
NEVADA, Mo. -- The Nevada Tigers forced 25 turnovers and had little trouble with the Neosho Wildcats Thursday, winning 50-25.
The Tigers controlled the game from the start, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and stretching that advantage to 14-4 by the end of the first period. Neosho trailed by double digits the rest of the game.
"Early on we wanted to dictate things on both ends of the floor and we did that," Nevada head coach John McNeley said. "Offensively we wanted to be aggressive, and we did that.
"Both halves went like we needed them to and wanted them to."
To leave no doubt, the Tigers closed the first half with an 8-0 run, grabbing a 28-8 lead at halftime.
The final play of the first half was indicative as to how the game went for both teams. Nevada's Drew Weatherly missed a 3-point attempt with seconds to play, and Neosho's Coty Allen fought for the rebound, finally taking control on the floor underneath his own basket. Allen, knowing time was running out, looked to pass the ball up the floor but all he found was Nevada forward Kyle Hughes, who laid the ball in just ahead of the buzzer.
The second half was similar to the first, with Nevada simply controlling the Wildcats with their 2-3 zone, and breaking down every defense Neosho threw their way.
By the midpoint of the fourth quarter, Nevada was resting all starters and key reserves.
The game went about as expected, considering the Tigers are now 16-7 overall, 5-2 in the Southwest Conference. In the regular season finale for the Wildcats, Neosho fell to 3-22, 1-7.
Bryan Campbell led all players with 13 points, while Jordan Kerbs added 11.
Matt Weathers led Neosho with nine points.
Nevada has one more game left, as they host Webb City tonight in the final game of a treacherous stretch brought on by makeup dates resulting from icy weather in January.
It will be the seventh game in 11 days for the Tigers, with four regularly scheduled contests to go with three formerly postponed dates.
The Webb City Cardinals are unbeaten in seven conference dates, already wrapping up the championship.
Thursday's was one of the made up contests. The Tigers were originally scheduled to host the Wildcats Jan. 19.
Tonight's contest will be senior night, as four Tigers will be honored for the last time at Wynn Gymnasium. Campbell, Weatherly, Spencer Thompson and James Tumm are the seniors on the squad.