Tigers defeat Don Bosco in tournament play

Nevada sophomore Kyle "Bubba" Banes looks for a open shot during Thursday's Nevada Classic game against Don Bosco. --Ralph Pokorny/Daily Mail

"This is a disappointing win." Despite earning a victory and taking with it a trip to the fifth place game of the 11th annual Nevada Classic tournament, Nevada Tigers head basketball coach John McNeley was very displeased with the lackadaisical performance his team showed in the contest.

Shooting just 35.7 percent in the contest, the Tigers allowed the Wolves of Don Bosco High to dictate the tempo of nearly the entire game Thursday night as the two teams clashed in the semifinals of the tournament's consolation bracket, but the Tigers were still able to hold on to take a 69-53 win. "It's a win that feels like a loss," McNeley said.

The Tigers came into the contest fresh off of a 47-44 loss in the opening round of the tournament to the Knights of Kansas City Southeast. The Wolves were hoping to get their first win of the tournament and second of the season as they came into the game attempting to bounce back from an 89-59 defeat at the hands of the Raymore-Peculiar Panthers in first-round play.

The Tigers got off to a slow start in the contest and it looked as though the Wolves (1-10) would be able to open up the game early and cruise their way to a win. The Tigers began to come to life in the second quarter, however, and went on a 21-9 run to turn what was a five-point deficit into a five-point halftime lead at 30-25.

Bosco continued to struggle with their ball control throughout the remainder of the game, ultimately allowing the Tigers to build up their lead to as much as 17 points in the final 16 minutes. "They are not real skilled and not real structured," McNeley said of the opposition. "And it shows in their play."

The zone defense that the Wolves brought into the game did give the Tigers some substantial troubles, however, as they were held to just 35.7 percent shooting from the field in the half.

Three Tiger players got into double figures on the night, led by sophomore Andrew Bryson with 18 points on 5-for-11 shooting in just his second game back after an ACL injury that has kept him off the court all season. "Drew's still kind of feeling his way back, he'll shoot the ball better," McNeley said of the 5-foot-9-inch sophomore. "But he makes you a better basketball team."

Senior Ross Wolfe joined Bryson atop the scoring column with 18 of his own, while sophomore Joseph Ferry put up 11. For Don Bosco, senior Ralph Hooker had 20 points on the night while junior Brandon Lewis finished with 15 and Jai Scott had 13.

With that win, the Tigers improved their overall record to 6-10 on the year and will now move on to the tournaments' fifth-place game that is scheduled for Saturday at 4:30 p.m., in the Nevada Middle School gym. Don Bosco will play in the seventh-place game on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., also at Nevada Middle School.

Raymore-Peculiar 55, Kansas City Southeast 46

Senior Tony Jones led the offensive effort for the Panthers of Raymore-Peculiar High School Thursday night in a tight contest in which the Panthers were able to take control late in the game and held of the Knights of Kansas City Southeast for a nine-point win. Junior Cameron Coffman joined Jones in double figures for the Panthers as he finished the night with 11.

For Southeast, Ricky Hollis led the offense with 11 points in the losing effort, followed closely by Robert Dupriest with 10.

With the win, the Panthers will now move on to play for the tournament championship against the Blue Eagles of Kansas City Central on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., inside Wynn Gymnasium. Southeast drops to the third place contest and will play on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., at Wynn Gymnasium against Carthage.

Stockton 62, Kansas City Westport 53

Just three days after falling in the highest scoring game in Nevada Classic history to Kansas City Central, Kansas City Westport was held to just 53 points in the semifinals of the consolation bracket as they suffered a nine-point loss at the hands of the Stockton Tigers.

Robbie Ewing and Austin Roller led the offensive effort for Stockton on the night as they both finished with 12 points. For Westport, Marshall Maull led the offensive effort with 18 points.

With the win, Stockton advances to face Nevada in the consolation bracket championship on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., at Nevada Middle School. Westport will play Don Bosco for seventh place at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, at Nevada Middle School.