Late surge lifts Risco past Campbell

POPLAR BLUFF — The boys basketball battle between the Risco Tigers and Campbell Camels lived up to the hype.

The two Missouri small-school powers — the Tigers are ranked fourth in Class 1, while Campbell is seventh in Class 2 — engaged in a back-and-forth battle Saturday afternoon at the Libla Family Sports Complex before the Tigers took the lead late and took the 52-46 win.

How back-and-forth was Saturday's game? The Camels led 13-10 after the opening period, but Risco used a strong second period to take a 21-19 lead to the locker room.

Campbell answered back in the third period, outscoring the Tigers 18-10 to take a 37-31 lead to the fourth quarter.

However, Risco was not done, tying the game at 41 midway through the final period, then outscoring the Camels 11-5 to end the game. Overall, the Tigers outscored Campbell 21-9 in the game's final eight minutes.

Foul trouble also was a factor, as the Camels committed 23 fouls and sent Risco to the foul line 23 times, including 16 times in the second half and 11 times in the fourth quarter. The Camels' two leading scorers in Saturday's game, Layden Kellum and Caden Mayberry, both fouled out in the final period.

Sammy Smith paced the Tigers with 17 points, while Eli Rodgers added 13, Owen Fortner had 10 and Landon Fortner finished with eight.

Kellum led Campbell with 16 points, while Mayberry had 11, Keenon Siebert added eight and Ben Rowland finished with six.

Risco plays next at the Tri-County Conference Tournament at Cardwell, while the Camels head to East Prairie on Tuesday.