Neelyville boys basketball vs. Thayer

Thursday, February 21, 2019

DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields

VAN BUREN — Thayer jumped out to an early lead against Neelyville, and after that, it was a patient grind to the finish line. The top-seeded Bobcats earned a wire-to-wire 37-29 victory over the third-seeded Tigers. Thayer leaped out to an 11-4 lead early, and despite the Tigers’ best efforts, they could never get over the hump and take the lead in the game. “We knew the first two or three minutes of the ball game were going to be a factor for us,” Neelyville coach Patrick Morton said. “We really needed to get out to a good start. Obviously, Thayer got out to a little bit of a better start than we did. They’re just so disciplined and fundamental, and they rebound so well.”

Neelyville's Marquise West saves the ball while falling out of bounds during the fourth quarter of the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 championship against Thayer on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
Players look at their benches as Thayer's Jayce Haven (5) holds the ball to run the clock during the third quarter of the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 championship Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
Neelyville's Wyatt Russom (12) drives against Thayer's Dillon Poulette, left during the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 championship against Thayer on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
Neelyville's Jemaane Williams (1) shoots over Thayer's defense during the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 championship against Thayer on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
Neelyville's cheerleaders hold up a banner prior to the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 championship against Thayer on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
Neelyville assistant coach Aaron Burton, left, consoles senior Wyatt Russom, right, after Russom fouled out in the fourth quarter of the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 championship Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, against Thayer at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
Neelyville coach Patrick Morton looks up at the scoreboard at the end of the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 championship against Thayer on Feb. 21, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)
Neelyville's Wyatt Russom (12) holds up the second-place plaque after Thayer won the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 championship Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at Van Buren. (DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields)