C1S1: Rebels endured tests to reach this point - again

A year ago, the Richland (Essex) varsity boy’s basketball squad won 23 games and graduated just two seniors (one starter) off that group yet have somehow won just 17 games (so far) this season. So, what gives?

“Our record was never going to be the same,” veteran Rebel coach Matt Cline said recently. “Our schedule was beefed up.”

The Rebels’ record may not be equal to last year’s, but where Cline’s team stands today certainly is.

For the third consecutive season, Richland (Essex) is playing for an MSHSAA Class 1 Sectional title after winning the MSHSAA Class 1 District 2 championship on Friday. The Rebels (17-11) will face MSHSAA Class 1 winner Risco (26-2) on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Gideon High School.

On Valentine’s Day, the Rebels were not loved by many, as they had dropped five of their previous six games, but to Cline’s point, those defeats were against good teams.

During that tough stretch, Richland (Essex) lost to eventual Class 2 District 3 winner Puxico, Risco (71-61) in Essex, Class 3 New Madrid County Central, South Pemiscot, and Delta, both of which eventually won 16 games this season.

The Rebels also had losses on their schedule this season to Class 54 Dexter, eventual Class 3 District 2 winner Woodland, a second loss to Risco (77-67 in the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament), another loss to Puxico, a 14-win Bell City team, and Class 1 No. 1-ranked Chadwick.

“I don’t know anybody who plays any tougher of a schedule, for a small school, than what we do,” Cline said. “Maybe they’ll play as tough, but no one plays any tougher than we do.

“These tougher ones are supposed to prepare us for some (later) games.”

Those tests are why Richland (Essex) is still practicing basketball today, as opposed to thinking about baseball and track seasons.

The Rebels showed incredible moxie on Friday against the Bobcats, who had beaten Richland (Essex) 60-56 in Delta on Feb. 13.

Delta was pounding the Rebels 30-16 in the first half on Friday before Cline’s kids tore off on a 27-4 run and never looked back.

“I'm proud of them,” Cline told Semoball.com following the win. “Three trips into the state tournament are really something to be proud of.

“The boys have stuck together. … They've put it together the last couple of weeks and I'm proud of them.”

The three consecutive District titles are quite an achievement. It is the first time in school history a Rebel has won that many.

“It feels amazing,” Richland senior Tucker Hughes told Semoball.com. “Making school history is always going to feel good. I can't feel much better.”

The victory cps a strong run of play, as Cline alluded to.

Richland (Essex) has won five consecutive games over a 15-day stretch, which began with a home win over Hayti, which just won the Class 2 District 1 championship.

“I told them (after the Hayti win),” Cline said, “if they can play with a team like Hayti, then they can play with these teams down the road. If we can get our intensity level where it is supposed to be.”

Monday’s test is a gargantuan one for the Rebels.

Risco is ranked No. 4 in Class 1 and has won 18 consecutive games. In fact, the Tigers haven’t lost in 2025.

To add to Risco’s motivation, Richland (Essex) ended the Tigers’ 2023-24 season with a 74-62 in the C1D2 title game last year.

“These guys have had a great year, and I am so proud of them,” veteran Risco coach Brandon Blankenship told Semoball.com recently. “I’m so proud of the hard work they have been putting in all year, even back to the summer, that’s really when this entire journey started.”