Festus rides Rickermann to first place with win over DeSoto on KJFF

The Festus Tigers gutted out one of the most important victories of their boys’ basketball season, knocking off the DeSoto Dragons 59-54 Friday night on KJFF.

Festus actually started the game strong, leading 17-8 after a quarter of play and going up by as much as 11.

But DeSoto immediately responded with an 8-0 run, and after only trailing by seven at halftime, the Dragons again got back in the game behind senior guard Aidan Blair.

Blair scored a team-high 16 points, all after halftime.

But Festus would find a way, putting their offense on the back on junior guard Cole Rickermann.

Rickermann was named the Applebee’s of Farmington Player of the Game after scoring 16 of his game-high 22 points in the second half.

But the Tigers wouldn’t really seize control until the next three-point shot.

Festus held on down the stretch to win for the 6th time in their last 7 games, doing so without leading scorer and starting point guard Ahrmad Branch.

Tigers head coach Jason Therrell says he expressed to his team the pride he felt in how they stepped up without their floor general.

Festus improves to 14-5 and takes over first place in the JCAA Large-School Division with a 5-1 conference record.

DeSoto falls to 9-10 overall and 3-1 in league play.

While the Dragons get right back to action at Windsor Monday, Festus has a week off before they travel to Hillsboro.

To hear the full game broadcast again, click play below.