Coach Jimmy Goebel and his NCOE Junior Cardinal basketball team kicked off Little Greater Egyptian Conference Tournament play Thursday evening when they welcomed the #6 seed, Crab Orchard Trojans, to town. NCOE, the #3 seed in the tournament, was sporting a 5-2 conference record and would be considered the likely favorite in this match-up but as all are well aware, records go out the window along with previous contest outcomes when tournaments are involved. Of course, lots was at stake in this contest for both teams because in order to live on to play another day in LGEC Tournament one must win their first round game.
When action began the Junior Cardinals came out very aggressive and quickly jumped to a 7-0 lead and made it appear that they were going to run away with the game just like they had done in the prior two meetings. However, Crab Orchard settled down at this point and played right with NCOE the remainder of the first frame to keep the score within reach at 16-8. Second quarter play would find both teams collecting nine points a piece which the Jr. Cards to maintain their eight point advantage heading into the locker room at halftime, 25-17.
When the third quarter began the intensity level rose for the Trojans and it was apparent that Crab Orchard had every intention of being able to pull off the upset and advance to play on in the LGEC Tourney especially since they were the host site of the remaining two rounds of play. In fact, this rise in aggressiveness stymied the Jr. Cards and caused them to get out of rhythm and turn the ball over several times. This NCOE confusion allowed Crab Orchard to go on a 15-7 run in the third quarter to tie the game at 32-all heading into the fourth quarter of play. This final sector was back and forth most of the way with neither team being able to shake free of the other until late. As timewas winding down, rab Orchard would manage to pull out to a six point advantage and make it appear that all hope was lost for NCOE to advance in tourney action. At this time, the Junior Cardinals’ determination kicked in and Cord Tucker would dribble down the floor and knock down a three pointer from the top of the key to narrow the Trojan lead to just three. Following some intense action and some missed shots, it would finally be Crab Orchard making their way to the free throw line to shoot two via the double bonus. One make would all but seal the deal for the Trojans but following two consecutive misses the Junior Cardinals would rip down the rebound and quickly advance the ball down the floor. Preston Long would locate Tucker on the right wing and Tucker fire with less than three seconds remaining and connect on another three pointer to tie the game at 45-all at the end of regulation forcing overtime.
Overtime would once again find both teams battling back and forth early but when it would appear that NCOE was going to stretch their lead out and secure victory they would become careless with the ball and allow Crab Orchard to climb back into the contest. However, the Junior Cardinals would manage to convert at the free throw line to hang on and claim the 52-49 victory.
Preston Long would lead all scorers in the contest with 15 points. Three other Junior Cardinals would follow closely as Cole Roberson added 13, Cord Tucker 12, and Joel Hortin 10. Aryon Jolley would also score two points for NCOE. Long topped all players with five assists while Jolley added three, Roberson two, Hortin one, and Will Thompson one.
Colter Rister and Aryon Jolley would claim rebounding honors as each collected three followed by two a piece from Preston Long, Joel Hortin, and Cole Roberson along with one each from Erik Healy and Will Thompson. Thompson, Long, and Rister were credited with two steals while Roberson and Hortin added one each.
NCOE (12-9) advances into the semifinal round of the Little Greater Egyptian Conference Tournament and will next take on the #2 seed, Hardin County Cougars. This game will take place at Crab Orchard on January 16 at 7:15 p.m.
