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They say familiarity breeds contempt.
Maybe that’s why Wednesday’s boys basketball game between Rogers-Heritage and McDonald County got so chippy near the end.
After building a double digit halftime lead, the War Eagles had to stave off a late comeback attempt by the Mustangs in a 50-44 win in the second round of the Neosho Holiday Classic.
In the first half, McDonald County coach Trent Barratt was less than pleased with his team’s performance.
“The first half was not very good basketball for us,” Barratt said. “We didn’t execute offensively, we came out flat on defense and we’ve got to be better prepared to play. The kids made the adjustment at the halftime in an effort sense and we came back and got back into the game. We just couldn’t finish.”
Despite the teams struggles in the first and second quarter, Chance Buttram was able to keep the team within striking distance with 12 points before halftime.
“Chance was in his second game back coming off an injury and he’s still trying to get back into basketball shape,” Barratt said. “He is going to be fine. He needs a little more experience on the court but he will provide a dimension to our team that we definitely need.”
In the third quarter, McDonald County went on a quick run to bring the deficit to single digits, but Heritage answered back and carried an 11-point lead into the final eight minutes.
The Mustangs rang off a 13-1 run in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter to take their first lead on a Jordan Wells layup with 5:02 remaining at 37-36 to make things interesting at the end.
McDonald County would lead by as many as four points before Heritage sank a pair of crucial 3-pointers late to regain the lead. The War Eagles then hit their free throws down the stretch to ice the victory.
“We aren’t very deep on the bench right now and we just aren’t making winning plays,” Barratt said. “We need to set better screens and get guys more open on offense.”
Buttram led the Mustangs with 18 points in the loss. Miguel Morales had 14 points and Wells had 12 to round out the scoring for McDonald County.
Heritage got 15 points from Garrett Macy. The War Eagles will take on Van Buren in the consolation semifinals today at 4:30 p.m. at Neosho Middle School.
McDonald County faces Hannibal at 9 a.m. in the high school gymnasium.
They say familiarity breeds contempt.
Maybe that’s why Wednesday’s boys basketball game between Rogers-Heritage and McDonald County got so chippy near the end.
After building a double digit halftime lead, the War Eagles had to stave off a late comeback attempt by the Mustangs in a 50-44 win in the second round of the Neosho Holiday Classic.
In the first half, McDonald County coach Trent Barratt was less than pleased with his team’s performance.
“The first half was not very good basketball for us,” Barratt said. “We didn’t execute offensively, we came out flat on defense and we’ve got to be better prepared to play. The kids made the adjustment at the halftime in an effort sense and we came back and got back into the game. We just couldn’t finish.”
Despite the teams struggles in the first and second quarter, Chance Buttram was able to keep the team within striking distance with 12 points before halftime.
“Chance was in his second game back coming off an injury and he’s still trying to get back into basketball shape,” Barratt said. “He is going to be fine. He needs a little more experience on the court but he will provide a dimension to our team that we definitely need.”
In the third quarter, McDonald County went on a quick run to bring the deficit to single digits, but Heritage answered back and carried an 11-point lead into the final eight minutes.
The Mustangs rang off a 13-1 run in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter to take their first lead on a Jordan Wells layup with 5:02 remaining at 37-36 to make things interesting at the end.
McDonald County would lead by as many as four points before Heritage sank a pair of crucial 3-pointers late to regain the lead. The War Eagles then hit their free throws down the stretch to ice the victory.
“We aren’t very deep on the bench right now and we just aren’t making winning plays,” Barratt said. “We need to set better screens and get guys more open on offense.”
Buttram led the Mustangs with 18 points in the loss. Miguel Morales had 14 points and Wells had 12 to round out the scoring for McDonald County.
Heritage got 15 points from Garrett Macy. The War Eagles will take on Van Buren in the consolation semifinals today at 4:30 p.m. at Neosho Middle School.
McDonald County faces Hannibal at 9 a.m. in the high school gymnasium.
