MELVERN — The Southern Coffey County High boys earned their first victory of the season in overtime on Friday night at Marais des Cygnes Valley, 52-44.
The Titans (1-3) relied on their veteran experience, spread the ball more offensively and limited Marais des Cygnes shots from the floor to take the eight-point win.
“We gave a great effort, but we are struggling with production because of our youth,” said Southern Coffey County head coach Brian Rand.
AJ DeAnda, SCC’s lone senior, carried the Titans in the first quarter against the Trojans when he sank four two-pointers and a free throw. Trey Winn also hit a two-pointer while Hank Newton knocked down a free throw.
The Titans held the Trojans to only two shots from the floor in the opening quarter as Dallen Flatin hit a two and Dominic Knight buried a three. Mason Ruso also hit a pair of free throws.
Southern Coffey headed into the second quarter ahead 12-10.
Winn continued his scoring for SCC in the second quarter, hitting a two and a three-pointer as well as a pair of free throws. Thomas Nickel went underneath for a layup and a free throw and Newton also banked in a layup.
Southern Coffey County led Marais des Cygnes at halftime, 25-17.
The Titans held strong in the second half, but so did the Trojans.
SCC kept passing the ball inside, resulting in points in the paint. Winn scored two more layups and Glue and Nickel each went for two-pointers in the third quarter.
The Trojans’ Corey Criss scored a pair of two-pointers and a trio of free throws while Ryan Baker knocked down a three and a free throw and Flatin also hit a three.
By the end of the third quarter, the Titans led by 34-33.
“We are young and made young mistakes,” said Rand. “We need to focus on every area with us being so young and fighting sickness.”
The Titans’ eight fourth quarter points weren’t enough as the Trojans were able to knot the score by the end of regulation.
Jayden McClintic led the Marais des Cygnes offense in the final quarter after he buried a three and a pair of two-pointers.
