Campbell, Gideon soar into semifinals

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Gideon's Jordan Boone (center) shoots over a pair of North Pemiscot defenders during the first half of Wednesday's opening first-round game at the Tri-County Conference Tournament game at Cooter. [Click to enlarge]

COOTER, Mo. -- The third-seeded Campbell Camels came away with a victory in their opening round 67-52 win over the sixth-seeded host Cooter Wildcats in the final game here Wednesday night.

In Wednesday's other first-round varsity game, Gideon rolled past North Pemiscot.

In the late game, the opening quarter was by far and away the most evenly matched and exciting as Cooter's Nathan Poe -- who is still recovering from a broken collarbone -- threw down a one-handed dunk to ignite the Cooter crowd.

Staff photo by Mike Buhler North Pemiscot coach Tim Eskew (second from right) talks to his team during a timeout during the first half of Wednesday's first-round game against Gideon. [Click to enlarge]

However Poe's efforts were matched by strong inside play from Campbell's Eugene Powers, who led the Camels to a 15-10 first-quarter lead.

"I haven't had a chance too look at the books but Eugene stepped up big for us tonight," said Campbell coach Steve Fowler.

In the second period, the Camels showcased a Fowler trademark by turning up the pressure on defense and causing turnovers with their fast and physical style.

The Wildcats were plagued by turnovers all night, but particularly in the first half where they turned the ball over 16 times in the first two quarters.

"We're playing much better," Fowler said. "We're getting healthy at the right time and we're playing better at the right time. We look forward to playing a good Gideon team here (Thursday)."

Just as in most games this year, the Camels were anchored by outstanding guard play led by the senior duo of Jordan Baggett and Jake Tinnon, who used their penetrating ability to combine for a 29-point output. After a pair of Baggett lay ups, the Camels took a 29-19 lead into the half.

Turnovers continued to haunt the Wildcats as play resumed in the second half.

"They do a good job at Campbell," said Cooter coach Delane Beckwith. "They really slowed the game down into the physical brand of basketball they like to play. We're just having a tough time right now. We have four different guys who normally start for our varsity bunch that are either done for the year, or not at 100 percent."

Powers paced the Camels through the third quarter by adding six of his game-high 18 points.

After injuries to guards Aaron McCaig and Nick Rinks, Beckwith emptied his bench and the Camels closed out the win.

Joining Powers in double figures for the Camels were Baggett and Tinnon joined Powers in double digits with 15 and 14 respectively.

Charles Copeland spearheaded the Cooter offensive attack with his 13 points, while Edward Forsythe, Aaron Brown, Nick Rinks, and Nathan Poe each finished with seven points.

In the early semifinal, it was all Gideon, as the second-seeded Bulldogs took a 33-7 lead early in the second quarter and were never challenged by North Pemiscot.

Play continues at the tournament today as top-seeded Clarkton takes on No. 4 Risco at 5:30 p.m. while Campbell and Gideon face off at 8:30 p.m. Jayvee semifinals will be played at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.