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Semoball

C2D2 boys semifinals

Monday, February 18, 2019
DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields

It took all 32 minutes, but third-seeded Neelyville was able to hang on and advance to its second straight MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 Tournament championship Tuesday. The Tigers trailed by two points heading into the third quarter, but the defense buckled down and the offense continued to push forward for a 64-62 victory over second-seeded Van Buren. “A lot of fight, you know, and I’m just super proud of them,” Neelyville coach Patrick Morton said. “It was a tough game, a physical game. Van Buren is a good team, man; they’re well-coached. I thought both teams played pretty well, but that fourth quarter we had a couple of big possessions and defensive stops, some big rebounds that really pulled it out for us, so I’m just proud of my guys, man.” Neelyville (15-10) began the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run to take its biggest lead of the game to that point at five points with around five minutes to go. Thayer earned the top seed in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 tournament, and it looked the part Tuesday in the semifinals. The Bobcats held Ellington (14-13) scoreless for the first six minutes and 18 seconds of the game on the way to a 60-37 win over the Whippets.

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    Thayer's Garrett Poulette (4) shoots a layup during the Class 2 District 2 semifinal Feb. 18, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Thayer's Jordan Andrews, left, drives against Ellington's Carson McNail (32) during the Class 2 District 2 semifinal Feb. 18, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Thayer's Jordan Andrews (12) drives against Ellington's Kyle Conkright during the Class 2 District 2 semifinal Feb. 18, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Ellington's Kyle Conkright, left, fumbles the ball as Thayer's Braden Hufstedler, right, defends during the Class 2 District 2 semifinal Feb. 18, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Thayer's Ayden Stone, left, rebounds over Ellington's Carsen Anderson (33) during the Class 2 District 2 semifinal Feb. 18, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Neelyville's Jemaane Williams, left, hugs Neelyville coach Patrick Morton after the Tigers won the Class 2 District 2 semifinal against Van Buren Feb. 18, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Neelyville coach Patrick Morton, center, celebrates Neelyville's win against Van Buren in the Class 2 District 2 semifinal Feb. 18, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Neelyville's bench celebrates its win against Van Buren as a Van Buren player walks off the court after the Class 2 District 2 semifinal Feb. 18, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Van Buren's Haden Barnes (2) reacts after hitting a buzzer-beater to end the first half against Neelyville in the Class 2 District 2 semifinal Feb. 18, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Neelyville's Jemaane Williams (1) shoots against Van Buren's defense during the Class 2 District 2 semifinal Feb. 18, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Van Buren's Connor Jackson (0) reaches for the ball as Neelyville's Timothy Ennis (4) dribbles during the Class 2 District 2 semifinal Feb. 18, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Neelyville's Jemaane Williams attempts a layup during the Class 2 District 2 semifinal Feb. 18, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Neelyville's Noah Burton jumps up for a layup during the Class 2 District 2 semifinal Feb. 18, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Neelyville’s Marquise West (24) blocks Van Buren’s Will Towner (14) during the first half of Tuesday’s MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 semifinal at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Van Buren's Trey Nicholson, center, drives against Neelyville's Jemaane Williams, right, and Marquise West (24) during the first half of Monday's MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 semifinal at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
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    Neelyville's Noah Burton (3) reaches for the ball as Van Buren's Trey Nicholson drives to the basket during the first half of Tuesday’s MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 semifinal at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)