S-C starts clicking

MARSHALL — The Smith-Cotton Tigers offense kicked into high gear Friday night.

Smith-Cotton scored 12 points in the final two minutes of the opening quarter  and cruised to a 63-34 victory over Marshall in the consolation game of the Marshall Shootout boys basketball tournament.

“Once we got the confidence and hit some shots early, it got the kids relaxed and let them play better,” said Smith-Cotton coach Jimmy Lincoln. “I was proud of them. ... We hit some shots and once we start shooting the ball, we will become a better ballclub.”

In other games, Warrensburg beat Versailles 55-28 for third place, and Hickman beat Grain Valley 63-37 to win the championship.

The Tigers needed a while to get rolling, as Marshall crawled out to a 4-1 lead. Smith-Cotton made four consecutive 3-pointers to close the first quarter with a 15-8 lead.

Once the shots began to fall, a more relaxed Tigers offense began to develop.

Bryce Rohrer connected for his second 3-pointer on the opening possession of the second quarter, as Smith-Cotton applied an effective full-court pressure defense.

Phil Perkins sank a jumper for Marshall at the 5:48 mark, which halted a 14-0 S-C run.

Smith-Cotton ended the half the way it started. Andrew Byrd stole a Marshall pass and converted it into a layup.

Twelve seconds later, Shawn Tompkins finished a post move for a basket, and the Tigers took a 32-13 lead into halftime.

“Any good ballclub, in my opinion, has to get 12 to 16 easy points,” Lincoln said. “Easy points are jumping into the passing lanes or getting some steals. We have to start taking some chances. We are able to do that because we have two big men that can come off and guard.”

The Tigers forced nine turnovers in the third quarter, which led to several layups, as Smith Cotton began running the floor and creating chances offensively.

Tompkins made a 3-pointer at the 1:12 mark of the third quarter, as the Tigers’ lead ballooned to 52-24.

Not only did the Tigers create turnovers, but their guards did not commit one in the third quarter.

Near the seven-minute mark, Smith-Cotton forced the mercy rule into effect, as the clock ran continuously.

Byrd led all scorers with 16 points. Evan Schnicker had 13 and Tompkins  added nine.

“We felt that by watching them, we could pressure their guards a little bit,” Lincoln said.

“We still need to pound that ball inside. We can’t rely on the 3-point line, but I was proud tonight.”