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Tigers repeat as El Do tournament champions
In a rematch of last year's El Dorado Springs Junior Varsity Basketball Tournament championship game, the top-seeded Nevada Tigers defeated third-seeded Fort Scott 45-40 to secure back-to-back titles. A season ago, fourth-seeded Nevada knocked off second-seeded Fort Scott 49-32 in the El Do JV title tilt.
The Thursday night triumph improved the Tigers to 9-5 overall.
"The back-to-back championships speaks to the quality of kids and the depth of talent we have in the program," third-year Nevada head varsity basketball coach Shaun Gray said.
"We're excited about the future. We have guys working hard at all age-levels. And I think we have the program to a point where year-in and year-out we're going to have high-quality kids that can continue to step-up at the varsity level and contribute."
Gray continued, "It's a sign of a good program when you're able to be successful at multiple levels."
Semifinal action
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.
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 had four guys man-to-man and played off one of our guys ---- and played a one-man zone in the middle."
Thompson named MVP
Nevada sophomore Matt Thompson was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Thompson, a versatile forward, scored 19 points in the title game while averaging 16.3 points per game during the three-game tourney.
Both Thompson and Austin bash were named to the All-Tournament team.
In addition to Thompson's game-high 19, Bash chipped in 13, followed by Devin McHugh with eight; Grant Miller with three; and Jayden Ast, one.
Coaches corner
"This was an all-out team win," Talley said. "Some of these guys have played four games in four nights (counting a freshman game earlier in week).
"Fort Scott played (a 2-3) zone most of the night. We were able to attack the middle of it with the dribble as well as with cuts.
"We were able to get it inside to Matt when we needed to. Will Johnson hit some big shots in the semis as well as when our lead slipped.
"Austin was able to break down the zones we saw with the dribble. Devin McHugh had some huge post baskets against Fort Scott. And Jayden Ast iced the game with a free throw that put as up four.
"Blayde Dodds did a great job of helping to facilitate the younger guys. We had three freshman ---- Grant Miller, Noah Cheaney, and Matt Thorp who were able to come in and spell the other guys.
"They were a huge part of this because they were able to get other guys rest without us missing anything on the floor."
Talley continued, "This is a great, first-class tournament for JV kids. It is run with the highest of integrity.
"That's all made possible by (El Dorado Springs HS) Athletic Director Mr. Durnell and coaches Braden and Barger. We can't thank them enough."