Pirates Remain Unbeaten In Region 16 Play
The number 1-ranked North Central Missouri College men’s basketball team is still undefeated in Region 16 play.
It hasn’t come easy, though.
The Pirates traveled to Kansas City on Saturday and defeated Metropolitan Community College by a single point, 84-83.
Jeramy Shaw hit a free throw with 13 seconds left in the game and the Pirates leaned on their defense to hold on for the win.
“There are always tough games when it comes to Region 16 play and this year is no exception at all,’ Pirates’ coach Jeremy Esry said. “I would say this is the strongest our region has been for a while talent-wise and we know we are going to get challenged every game for that top spot.”
The contest was tight the whole way through with the two teams being tied at 40-40 at halftime and things carried over into the second half with the back-and-forth action.
In the end, rather than a big shot, it was the Pirates’ defense that was tasked with holding on for the win. Fittingly for a team that has leaned on its defense several times during its current 18-game winning streak, the defense held.
Marty Jackson led the Pirates with 21 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots. Atavian Butler followed with 20 points and three assists and Rayonte Childs had 11 points. Those were the only three Pirates in double figures, but North Central got points from 10 of the 11 players suited up for the game.
Escaping town with the victory pushed the Pirates to 22-1 overall on the season and 2-0 in Region 16 play. The Pirates are now the last remaining undefeated team in Region 16, holding head-to-head wins over both St. Louis and Metropolitan.
North Central will be back in action on Wednesday, traveling to face Indian Hills in Ottumwa, IA. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. The Pirates will also be in action on Thursday, playing host to the Central Methodist University junior varsity. That game will tip off at 7 p.m. as well in the Ketcham Community Center in Trenton.
vs. MISSOURI VALLEY
For the second time in a week, the North Central Missouri College men’s basketball team defeated a four-year establishment’s junior varsity team. Much like Tuesday’s 114-70 win over the Culver-Stockton JV, Thursday night’s 120-82 win over the Missouri Valley JV wasn’t much of a game.
The top-ranked Pirates continued to roll along, pushing to 21-1 overall on the year with the 38-point victory.
North Central’s big three led the way as Jackson went for 22 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Quinan Rieves and Butler each added 21 points with Rieves grabbing five boards and Butler pulling down 10 rebounds and handing out four assists.
Behind that trio, the Pirates got three double-digit performers off the bench. Michael Horton was in double figures for a second consecutive game, going for 14 points and six rebounds. Shaw and Jackson Andrews both finished with 12 points.
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