The opening round of the Class 6 District 5 boys basketball tournament featured two games decided by more than 40 points and two more decided by less than three.
Central showed why it earned the top seed with a 90-54 win over Neosho. Keion Epps led all scorers with 29 points. Bryce Walker (21 points), Devin Sanford (18 points) and Tyrique Brooks (12 points) also scored in double figures for Central.
The Bulldogs will face Glendale in the semifinals. Glendale was a 66-63 winner over Republic. Republic carried a 15-12 lead after one quarter, but the Falcons fought back to tie the game at 36 going into the half. Glendale used a one-point third quarter advantage and two-point fourth quarter win to take the game 66-63.
Amare Witham accounted for half of Glendale’s points with 33 on the night. He scored 16 of Glendale’s 24 points in the second quarter to help the Falcons draw even at the half. Brenley Hagewood led Republic with 26 points.
Glendale and Central will face off at 1:30 pm on Saturday at Glendale in the district semifinal round. It will be the fourth meeting between the two programs this season with Central winning all three of the previous meetings.
Kickapoo had no trouble in a 75-23 win over Joplin. The Chiefs held Joplin scoreless in the first quarter and to 10 total first-half points while scoring 36 of their own. Kickapoo had 11 different players score in the win.
The Chiefs will face Nixa in the semifinals after the No. 3 seed Eagles held off upset-minded Ozark 64-63 in triple overtime.
The game was close throughout with Ozark carrying a four-point lead into the fourth quarter before Nixa responded with a 15-11 advantage in the final quarter to force overtime.
In the first overtime, Nixa won the tip and held the ball until there were under 15 seconds left in the period before attacking the basket. Both teams had a field goal attempt, but neither could score.
The second overtime period brough more action and eight total points, four for each team, on the way to the decisive third overtime where Nixa escaped with a one-point win at 64-63.
Nixa and Kickapoo will tip off in the semifinal round at 4 pm on Saturday at Glendale.
Kickapoo won the regular season matchup 54-52 on Dec. 13.
Central 90, Neosho 54 – FINAL – PHOTOS
Neosho – 18-14-9-13 — 54
Central – 23-28-23-16 — 90
N: Collier Hendricks 20, Tyrone Harris 11, Colton Southern 10, Kanten Smith 6, Quincy Simpson 5, Brock Pyle 2
C: Keion Epps 29, Bryce Walker 21, Devin Sanford 18, Tyrique Brooks 12, Rue Wells 8, Deshawn Howard 2
Glendale 66, Republic 63 – FINAL – PHOTOS
Republic – 15-21-15-12 — 63
Glendale – 12-24-16-14 — 66
R: Brenley Hagewood 26, James Rexroat 16, Jordan Douglas 14, Aslan Ebisch 5, Keiran Govan 2
G: Amare Witham 33, Anthony Fletcher 10, Ta’Veaion Washington 9, Mar’Kel Houston 7, Jacan Seats 5, Zach Hawkins 2
Kickapoo 75, Joplin 23 – FINAL – PHOTOS
Joplin – 0-10-5-6 — 21
Kickapoo – 19-17-27-12 — 75
J: Brecken Green 6, Cooper Williams 6, Trenton Gage 4, Whit Hafer 3, David Bhend 2
K: Jake Sage 17, Jackson Shorter 11, Mason Robb 9, Shaun Campbell 8, Reese Kimrey 8, Jake Easley 4, Elijah Nabors 4, Brock Thompson 4, Vincent Mhire 3, Brayden Rubidoux 3, Drew Akins 2
Nixa 64, Ozark 63 – FINAL/3OT – PHOTOS
Ozark – 16-12-17-11-0-4-2 — 63
Nixa – 16-9-16-15-0-4-3 — 64
O: Hudson Roberts 17, Jace Whatley 14, Jake Garner 12, Kylan Pickren 11, Mike Ford 6, Manny Stover 2, Cohen George 1
N: Garrett Hines 27, Adam McKnight 19, Keivon Flint 9, Josh Peters 3, Devon Kemp 3, Jaise Combs 2, Jackson Cantwell 1
