Sunday, February 14, 2021

Grant Cameron Leads Tiger Boys Past Mustangs 64-42

Grant Cameron led the Worth County Tigers past North Nodaway in the nightcap Thursday 64-42. Previously, Worth County had beaten North Nodaway 57-27 in the Northwest Missouri Tournament. But since then, North Nodaway has began showing steady improvement despite only one win to show for it. They got back both Karson Oberhauser and Andrew Blackford, which meant they could get back to improving and getting better instead of just trying to get through the season.

It looked like Worth County would run away with it in the early going as Jackson Runde hit a 3-pointer and then Grant Cameron got a tip, Aydan Gladstone got a steal, and Tyler New finished to make it 5-0. Andrew Blackford countered with a 3-pointer, but then Runde got a putback, Alex Rinehart scored off a drive, and then Grant Cameron got a drive and kicked it out to Alex Rinehart for three to make it 12-3.

But Aydan Blackford sparked the Mustangs as he scored off a drive and then took a charge on defense and added a putback to cut it to 12-7. Alex Rinehart got loose in transition after Tyler New aired one out and Alex Rinehart kicked one out to Jackson Runde to make it 17-7, but Karson Oberhauser, who is finally rounding back into form, hit a 3-pointer to cut it to 17-10 after one.

Grant Cameron started off the Tigers with a steal, but then Andrew Blackford answered right back with a 3-pointer to cut it to 19-13. Andrew Blackford kept the Mustangs in the game in the second quarter, getting seven points for the blue squad before a late push sparked by a Grant Cameron 3-pointer and an Aydan Gladstone drive made it 33-20. But North Nodaway showed that they were not interested in fading, as Aydan Blackford hit a 3-pointer to make it 33-23 at the break. 

It looked like Worth County would finally get some separation to start the second half as they started off on a 9-2 run. Alex Rinehart jumped a pass, Jackson Runde scored off a drive, and Worth County was up 37-23. Jordan Jenkins countered with a drive for North Nodaway, but Alex Rinehart drove after getting a pass from Tyler New and Aydan Gladstone hit from the left wing after getting a pass from Grant Cameron to make it 42-25.

But then North Nodaway made up most of the points as Andrew Blackford cut inside and made it a three point play and later hit Damian Dailey inside to cut it to 42-30. Worth County finally put the game away as Aydan Gladstone scored off a drive, Alex Rinehart skipped one to Grant Cameron, and Jackson Runde hit Aydan Gladstone for a drive to make it 49-30. Aydan Blackford countered with a 3-pointer, but Aydan Gladstone hit Grant Cameron for three to make it 52-33. Aydan Blackford’s free throws cut it to 52-35 after three.

Worth County finally got the lead into the 20’s as Grant Cameron drove the baseline and Jackson Smith got on the board with a 3-pointer to make it 57-35. But North Nodaway kept fighting as Andrew Blackford scored off a steal, Carson Hoepker hit a 3-pointer, and Aydan Blackford hit two more free throws to cut it to 60-42.

Worth County dribbled huge chunks of time off the clock down the stretch and Aydan Gladstone got a putback and Grant Cameron went backdoor to push the Tigers ahead to the final margin.

For Worth County, Grant Cameron had 17 points to lead four Tigers in double figures. Alex Rinehart had 16, Aydan Gladstone 13, Jackson Runde 10, Tyler New 5, and Jackson Smith 3.

The rebounding battle was even, but Worth County forced 19 Mustang turnovers, while surrendering the ball only 7 times. Ball movement was also a factor in the game, as Worth County had 23 assists to 13 for the Mustangs.

Aydan Gladstone had 9 boards for the Tigers. Alex Rinehart had 6, Jackson Runde and Brent Harris 5 each, Grant Cameron 3, and Jackson Smith 1. Brent Harris is starting to climb up the rebounding charts; his energy and effort has earned him more playing time in the last few weeks.

Aydan Gladstone had 9 assists. Grant Cameron and Jackson Runde had 4 each, and Alex Rinehart and Tyler New had 3.

Aydan Gladstone had 8 tips. Grant Cameron had 5, Alex Rinehart 4, Tyler New 3, and Jackson Runde 1.

Aydan Gladstone had 5 steals. Alex Rinehart had 4, Jackson Runde and Grant Cameron 2 each, and Tyler New, Jackson Smith, and Brent Harris 1 each.

For North Nodaway, Andrew Blackford had 15 and Aydan Blackford had 14. Damian Dailey had 5, Karson Oberhauser and Carson Hoepker 3 each, and Jordan Jenkins 2.

Damian Dailey had 11 boards; coach Michael Trautz has been expecting big things down the road from Dailey, who brings some much needed size to the Mustangs, who have been one of the shortest teams in the area in recent years. Aydan Blackford had 7, Karson Oberhauser 4, Andrew Blackford 3, and Carson Hoepker 1.

Andrew Blackford had 5 assists. Karson Oberhauser had 4, and Jordan Jenkins and Aydan Blackford had 2 each.

Jordan Jenkins and Andrew Blackford had 2 tips each. Karson Oberhauser, Damian Dailey, Ethan Fry, and Carson Hoepker each had 1.

Aydan Blackford had 3 steals. Brice Trimble, Andrew Blackford, and Karson Oberhauser had 1 each.


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