Title game rematch pits Nevada vs. Fort Scott

Nevada freshman Austin Bash tallied a team-high 13 points in the semifinal match with Warrensburg.(Daily Mail file photo)

A 43-36 victory Wednesday night over fourth-seeded Warrensburg in the semifinals of the El Dorado Springs Junior Varsity Basketball Tournament, advanced No. 1 seed Nevada into the championship game.

Tip off for the title tilt with the third-seeded Fort Scott Tigers is slated for tonight at 7 sharp. A victory over Fort Scott secures back-to-back El Do JV tournament championships for Nevada. Last season No. 4 seed Nevada knocked off No. 2 seed Fort Scott 49-32 in the championship game.

Nevada was led in scoring Wednesday night by freshman forward Austin Bash who finished with a team-high 13 points, followed by Matt Thompson with 10; Will Johnson, 9, including three 3-pointers; Jayden Ast, 6; Blayde Dodds, 3; and Noah Cheaney, 2. Against Warrensburg, Nevada was lethal from long-range, knocking down seven treys.

Nevada junior varsity head coach Kyle Talley described the challenges his squad encountered against Warrensburg.

"They played us in kind of a junk defense," explained Talley, "where they played four guys man-to-man and played off one of our guys ---- and played a one-man zone in the middle."

Talley continued, "Their zone guy usually played a high-middle, so that allowed us to attack the baseline. We knew we didn't have to force shots as we always had an open shooter on the weak-side. Those guys on the other side made some shots when needed and our attackers were able to either get baseline or kick it out to a shooter, as the (Warrensburg) guards were still digging down on the post.

"Proud of the effort from all the guys. Everyone played a key role tonight."