In the tightest game of the day, Central New Madrid County came back after being down six at the break to beat Madison College Prep 58-50. Willie Jimmerson exploded for 18 of his 20 points in the second half, including two clutch three pointers to give the Eagles the lead twice.
Central finishes off the season with third place in state and a 25-5 record, while Madison leaves the tournament 18-13.
New Madrid County Central and Madison Prep battled up and down the court all game.
Central battled back to make it a game after getting outscored 11-3 in the second quarter. The Eagles found themselves down 25-19 at the half, but got it back to a one point game heading into the fourth and momentarily regained the lead.
Willie Jimerson’s three with under four to play gave the Eagles the lead again at 45-44, but the Bears got free throws from Daniel Farris and a three point play from Jermaine Walker to go up 49-45 with under two minutes to play. Walker led Madison with 21 points.
With just over a minute to go, Jimerson did it again, hitting from three to put NMCC up 50-49. An offensive foul by the Bears gave the ball back to the Eagles and on the inbounds play, Javarcus Word dribbled through the defense and laid it in for a three point lead with 43.2 left to play. Word finished with 16.
Jimerson then hit free throws down the stretch to clinch the win for Central.