North County, Festus, Central Earn 1st Rd Wins in Central Xmas Tournament

(PARK HILLS) J98’s coverage of Day 1 of the Boys 63rd Annual Bob Sechrest Central Christmas Tournament wrapped up Wednesday night with North County, Festus, and Central advancing to the quarters.

Game 1 had the 8th-seeded Raiders pulling away late to upend 9-seed DeSoto 62-53. Helping put the game to bed was sophomore guard Karter Kekec with the Raiders up 5 in the 4th.

North County head coach Jimmy Palmer praised Kekec for his explosive first step.

North County moves on to play tournament top-seed Farmington on Friday at 4 on J98. Farmington beat Viburnum 113-36 in its game.

4-seed Festus won the 2nd game of the night over 13-seed Crystal City in defensive fashion with a 72-28 final. Transition offense was key to the victory for the Tigers but so was offensive rebounding, with Savez Thomas earning the Gilster Mary Lee Play of the Game.

Tigers head coach Jason Therrell talks about the suffocating defense to start the game as the key to the win.

Festus advances to the next round and will take on 5th-seed and host Central.

The Rebels took care of business in their first round game with a 68-27 shut down of the 12-seeded West County Bulldogs in our final game of the night. Central guard Jake Casey made the most of a fast break opportunity in the 3rd.