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New-look NMCC dive into the deep end
NEW MADRID, MO. — In the midst of a roster overhaul, two-time defending state champion New Madrid County Central is essentially starting from scratch.
In their season opener at the Riverbend Classic, the Eagles (0-2) faced formidable opponents, Cuba (1-1) and West Memphis (4-2), resulting in two tough losses.
“Our youth showed up today,” said NMCC coach Dontre Jenkins. “I just wanted them to go out there and work hard. After everything we lost, a lot of people have us struggling this year, but the one thing they can’t take away from us is how hard we work and play. We did that in spurts today. But it’s still the early season, and we’re just getting started. I saw some things I liked and also some things to clean up.”
the 70-45 loss to the Wildcats was back and forth at the start. NMCC gained a 5-4 advantage on a pair of made free throws by Jayden Williams. Cuba took back the lead 11-9 on a 3-pointer from Cooper Mehl with 2:14 left in the opening quarter, but Martayevius Walton answered with a strong take to tie it 11-11.
However, NMCC trailed at the end of the first quarter after Ryleigh Hardin made free throws in the final seconds.
The Eagles' early foul trouble in the second quarter put them in a precarious position.
Cuba capitalized on the opportunity with key players sidelined, extending their lead to 41-26 by halftime.
“We need the older guys to step up a little bit more,” Jenkins said. “We have some of the younger guys get out there and mix it up. We had three or four freshmen who played hard and weren’t intimated or scared. They have a lot to learn. Getting out there and playing is the best way to learn. We have a bunch of who didn’t play much before. We’ll be okay once those guys get some experience under their belts.”
Cuba did not take its foot off the gas in the second half and continued to extend its advantage, finishing each quarter of the game with a points advantage.
The Eagles’ top players were Williams with 12 points, two rebounds, and two assists; Walton with five points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal; Ja’kwon Jones with five points, two assists, one steal, and one rebound; and Smith with three points, eight rebounds and one steal.
NMCC also lost 77-43 to West Memphis (Ark.) at the Riverbend Classic on Saturday, Nov. 30.
Notable performances were Williams with 16 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals; Smith with eight points, 14 rebounds and two steals; and Jaden Guest-Newsome with eight points, three rebounds and two steals.
“West Memphis length and quickest caused us some problems with a young team we have to take these early games as a learning experience,” Jenkins said. “Playing a lot of freshmen and sophomores, the game is a lot faster than what they expected it to be when they step foot on the court playing against juniors and seniors. We’ll take this weekend to learn from and be ready for the next one.”
CUBA 70, NMCC 45
| Cuba | 16 | 25 | 19 | 10 | — | 70 |
| NMCC | 13 | 13 | 11 | 8 | — |
CUBA — Jesse Elrod 26, Braden Gipson 13, Preston Heads 11, Cooper Mehl 7, Holdynn Greenwalt 4, Max Kimberlin 4, Cameron Carnel 3, Ethan Noltkamper 2. FG: 27. FT: 10-14. F: 17. (3-pointers: Gipson 2, Mehl 2, Carnel 1. Fouled out: None.)
NMCC (45) — Jayden Williams 12, Jaden Guest-Newsome 6, Ryleigh Hardin 6, Ja’Kwon Jones 5, Martayevius Walton 5, Marvion Cranford 4, Issiac Smith 3, Tyce Palmer 3, Malakhi Hughes 1. FG: 15. FT: 12-21. F: 21. (3-pointers: Williams 2, Palmer 1. Fouled out: None.)
WEST MEMPHIS 77, NMCC 43
| W. Memphis | 13 | 31 | 12 | 21 | — | 77 |
| NMCC | 4 | 17 | 18 | 6 | — | 43 |
West Memphis (77) — DJ Craig 15, Jordan Moore 12, Anthony Vaughns 11, De’Cambren Holmes 11, DJ Johnson 7, LaDarrius Brown 9, TyQuarious Ivy 6, Jaylon Fowler 2, Peyton Hampton 2, Andrew Butler 2. FG: 31. FT: 7-9. F: 20. (3-pointers: Moore 4, Craig 2, Vaughns 1, Brown 1. Fouled out: None.)
NMCC (43) — Jayden Williams 16, Jaden Guest-Newsome 8, Issiac Smith 8, Martayevius Walton 4, Nick English 2. FG: 18. FT: 7-14. F: 11. (3-pointers: None. Fouled out: None.)