The Todd County Central Rebels basketball team stayed undefeated with a 58-54, come-from-behind win over visiting South Warren on Tuesday night. The Rebels improve to 5-0, extending their best start in over 20 years, while the Spartans fall to 2-4.
The Rebels started slowly, falling behind 11-2 with just over three minutes left in the opening quarter. South Warren hit four first-quarter three-pointers, but after a timeout the Rebels began to press and pulled to within 1 point at 16-15 after a three-pointer by sophomore guard Austin Rager.
Todd County started the second quarter with both big men, junior center Jon Calvery and senior center Collin Sharp, on the floor together, but still struggled to feed the post. South Warren was very deliberate with the ball, and their hot shooting continued with two more three-pointers in the second quarter.
The Spartans maintained a 4 to 6 point lead throughout much of the quarter, but a three-pointer by senior guard Tashaun Foster cut the lead to 30-27 with a little over a minute remaining until halftime. South Warren kept the ball for 45 seconds, holding for the last shot before a suspect foul on Rebel senior Nolan Barrow sent them to the line for a one-and-one. After converting both, the Spartans led 32-27 at the half.
Foster led the Rebels with 9 points at the half, all on three-pointers, followed by Barrow’s 6, and junior guard Clayte Weathers’ 5. Calvery, Todd County’s leading scorer at 14.3 a game, was held to 2 first-half points.
The Spartans cooled down from deep after halftime, but were still able to stretch their lead to 10 points at 37-27 with 5:33 left in the quarter. The Rebels only managed 9 points in the frame, and after Barrow missed a pull-up jumper as the horn sounded, they found themselves trailing 44-36 going into the fourth.
It looked as if the Rebels perfect start was in serious jeopardy, but Barrow and Calvery began to assert themselves with help from Weathers. Barrow scored 9 in the final quarter, including a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line, and Calvery picked up 6 on three tough baskets on the block. After a Barrow and-1 with 2:50 left cut the lead to 52-50, Weathers came up with a steal and was fouled. He knocked down one and the bonus to tie the game, before a Calvery bucket gave the Rebels their first lead at 54-52. The Spartans opened the door for the comeback by shooting an abysmal 5-16 from the free throw line down the stretch.
With 44.9 seconds left and Todd County clinging to a 56-53 lead, Weathers again stepped to the line with a chance to ice the game. However, this time he missed the front end of the one-and-one, giving the Spartans the ball with a chance to tie. Calvery blocked a three-point attempt from the corner with 19.4 seconds left leading to a jump ball. The possession arrow gave the Rebels the ball, but a controversial no call when it appeared Barrow had been fouled on the sideline led to an out of bounds call for South Warren. This time Calvery fell for a shot fake and fouled the Spartan shooter on a three-point attempt. After hitting the first, the second rolled off, and he missed the third intentionally, but Calvert redeemed himself with a big rebound. Calvery threw the outlet to Barrow, who was fouled and knocked down both free throws for the final 58-54 score.
Barrow’s 19 led all Rebel scorers, followed by Foster and Calvery with 11 each. Weathers chipped in 10, Sharp had 4, and Rager finished with 3.
Up next for the Rebels is a 13th District showdown at Logan County (3-2) on Friday. Todd County will be looking for their second district win in as many tries, and to continue their undefeated start.
