Bootheel: Tigers learn earlier lesson, hold off charging Camels for another title

PORTAGEVILLE – Last month, the Caruthersville High School varsity boy’s basketball team jumped out to a 12-point lead over Campbell, before allowing the Camels to rally for an 82-75 win at Caruthersville.

The scene was set on Thursday for something just as frustrating to Tiger followers, however, Caruthersville had learned its lesson.

The Tigers held off a charge from the Camels to prevail 68-58 in the championship game of the Bootheel Conference Tournament at Portageville High School.

“I told (the players),” veteran Caruthersville coach Lamont Bell said following the win, “if we get a chance to get them down, let’s keep them down.”

Caruthersville’s title was its third (2022 and 2023) in four years.

The Tigers (11-8) held a 13-10 advantage early in the second quarter before exploding on the Camels (17-3) at both ends of the floor.

The Caruthersville defenders locked up the Camels, including limiting junior guard Drew Fowler to a mere two free throws and no baskets, as it stretched its narrow margin to 31-19 at halftime.

“In the first half,” veteran Campbell coach Steve Fowler said, “we couldn’t buy a shot from the outside. We couldn’t hit anything.”

Those shooting woes weren’t just from the perimeter, Campbell often broke the defensive pressure from the Tigers, only to miss the lay-up to close out the possession.

“When you miss lay-ups,” Coach Fowler continued, “and you don’t make 3’s against Caruthersville, you’re going to get behind a little bit.”

Caruthersville held a 22-point margin at one point, but Campbell, which is ranked No. 7 in Class 2, eventually began to find its offensive rhythm and with under four minutes remaining, Fowler hit a pair of free throws to trim his team’s deficit to 53-46.

“We had to put our foot on their neck,” Bell said, “because Campbell is such a great team. They made a run.

“We knew that they were going to do that.”

The difference between the first time these teams played back in January and Thursday, however, was Caruthersville’s response to that challenge.

“I told (the players) at halftime,” Bell continued, “that Campbell was going to make a run and we were just going to have to weather that storm.”

Following Fowler’s free throws at the 3:44 mark of the final period, Tiger senior Jermonte Alexander got a bucket with 2:47 remaining, but the dagger came at the 2:07 mark.

A loose ball bounced towards the baseline and Alexander leaped into the air and saved it back in bounds. The ball bounced past a Camel player, who didn’t secure it, and ended up in the hands of Caruthersville junior guard Sammy Bryant, who was cutting down the lane.

Bryant caught the ball and in rhythm, lifted a floater into the net for an 11-point margin and the momentum to finish.

“Campbell is a great group,” Bell said. “There is no quit in them.

“To be honest, I’m glad that I don’t have to see them anymore (this year).”

Bryant and Tiger junior Quawnterrious McVay led the victors with 19 points each while sophomore Deemarion Rodgers (15 points) and Alexander (11 points) also contributed.

Fowler had 22 points while Camel senior point guard Layden Kellum had 18 and senior guard Ben Rowland, who had battled flu earlier in the week, returned to action and finished with eight points.

“We struggled with our shooting,” Coach Fowler said. “But you have to give credit to Caruthersville. Their athleticism and their length and their defense is what caused us to not shoot very well.”

The Tigers will host New Madrid County Central (4-11) on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

Campbell will play Class 1 No. 4-ranked Risco (18-2) on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff.