Deck leads Jackson past NMCC in hard-fought battle

Jackson's Kolton Thoma (2) shoots during 43-29 win over New Madrid County Central in the opening round of the SEMO Conference Tournament at the Field House on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.

Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

SIKESTON — Jackson fended off an upset bid from New Madrid County Central, weathering a late surge to survive and advance, 43-39, in the opening round of the SEMO Conference at the Field House on Monday, Dec. 9. 

Deck leads Jackson past NMCC in hard-fought battle

The sixth-seeded Eagles (0-5) gave the third-seeded Indians (4-1) a scare, taking a late lead with just over two minutes remaining. However, Jackson responded with a crucial basket and capitalized on a controversial ending, as a late intentional foul and a subsequent technical foul sealed the victory.

“We fought through adversity at the end of the game,” said Jackson coach Kory Thoma. “Those situations are hard to coach and simulate in practice. I was proud of that. We competed but it was sloppy. We didn’t rebound and did a lot of bad things. We need to look to improve on that.”

The contest began with NMCC taking an early 4-2 lead, thanks to baskets by Ja'Kwon Jones and Ra'Mond Brooks. Jackson, however, quickly responded with a 9-0 run, capped by a putback from Jonathan Ernst, to seize an 11-4 advantage.

The Eagles fought back, narrowing the gap to 13-11 early in the second quarter after a 3-pointer from Jones. But the Indians scored the next three baskets, including two from Kolton Thoma and an inside score by Ernst off an assist from Thoma, extending their lead to 19-11.

Jackson flirted with a double-digit lead throughout the third quarter, but NMCC's tenacity kept them within striking distance. The Indians' closest attempt at pulling away came when they led 31-22 after a free throw by Kole Deck with 1:51 left in the third quarter.

However, NMCC ignited in the fourth quarter, starting with a 7-0 run that cut the lead to 35-34 with 4:12 left in the game.

“Our guys fought for their teammates and brothers, leaving it all on the floor,” said NMCC coach Dontre Jenkins. “We’ve won this tournament before as a No. 6 seed, so we knew we had a chance.”

We’ve won this tournament as a No. 6 seed, so we knew we had a chance. This surge was fueled by a steal and score by Jayden Williams, a steal by Marvion Cranford who then assisted Williams on a layup, and an offensive rebound and putback by Cranford.

“I’ve been trying to get the guys to left defense create offense,” Jenkins said. “We saw that late in the game by denying the pass lanes.”

Jackson managed to regain a 37-34 lead after a transition score by Deck, but NMCC tied it at 37-37 with 2:41 left on a banked-in three-pointer by Trye Palmer, a defensive specialist, illustrating the adage that sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

“I told him to take the shot if he was open,” Jenkins said. “Sometimes you got to have some luck.”

The Eagles took their first lead since the early moments of the game when Jones finished a clutch drive through a foul, making it 39-38 with 2:02 left. 

“I’ve been on [Jones] a lot this year,” Jenkins said. “He’s probably the fastest person on the floor, and he has to use that quickness to his advantage to get to the rim.

But Lee Ivy immediately answered with a post score, putting the Indians back on top, 40-39, with 1:41 remaining.

NMCC, with possession, milked the clock, letting it dwindle to 1:04 before calling a timeout and setting up for a final shot.

However, the Eagles missed, and the Indians secured the rebound. In a desperate attempt to regain possession, NMCC fouled, but the referee called an intentional foul with just three seconds left. 

When Jenkins protested, a technical foul was called, effectively clinching the game for Jackson by awarding them four free throws and possession.

“I was proud of how they fought to the end and left it all on the floor,” Jenkins concluded. “Our seniors have been here before, and they did a great job of leading and stepping up tonight” 

Freshman Jayden Williams was the Eagles’ leading scorer, with 12 points while Cranford and Jones each added nine. The Indians’ top scorers were Deck with 16, and Ernst and Ivy with seven each.

Jackson will take on second-seeded Cape Central (3-1) in the semifinals on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. 

NMCC will face the winner of Charleston (1-3) and Kennett (1-3) on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the consolation bracket.

Jackson 43, NMCC 39

NMCC (39) — Jayden Williams 12, Marvion Cranford 9, Ja’Kwon Jones 9, Ra’Mood Brooks 4, Tryce Palmer 3, Issiac Smith 2. FG: 15. FT: 5-11. F: 19. (3-pointers: Williams 2, Jones 1, Palmer 1. Fouled out: Cranford.)

Jackson (43) — Kole Deck 17, Jonathan Ernst 8, Lee Ivy 7, Kolton Thoma 6, William Thomas 3, Jory Thoma 2. FG: 17. FT: 8-21. F: 12. (3-pointers: Deck 1. Fouled out: None.)