Hayti wins district title

SEMO News Service photo by Brad Hurt Hayti's William Cooper (top) is hoisted on his teammates' shoulders after the Indians captured the Class 2, District 1 Tournament championship Friday at Holcomb. [Click to enlarge]

HOLCOMB, Mo. -- The Hayti Indians have endured a roller coaster ride kind of season.

Entering Friday night, the brightest moment was arguably when they took home the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament Championship, while the low water mark may have been their early exit from the Bootheel Conference Tournament.

The Indians have also played through many forms of adversity, but despite that, the Tribe accomplished their ultimate goal of taking home the Class 2, District 1 Tournament crown with an 82-77 win over the Bernie Mules here Friday night.

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Hayti's Jerome Covington (right) shoots over Bernie defenders during Friday's Class 2, District 1 championship game. [Click to enlarge]

"We fought and fought, and I was really proud of their effort," Bernie coach Brad Botsch said of his players.

In a game that many believed to be a dead heat, it was the Indians who drew first blood as they came out of the gates on fire in the opening quarter and shocked the Mules with their athleticism as Denzel Presberry and Shawn Jones led Hayti's 27-point first quarter explosion.

Also, 6-foot-6 center William Cooper, who is known for his interior play, stepped away and knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner to give Hayti a surprising 11-point lead after one period.

"Well most don't know it, but I've got some range, I've got some range," Cooper said with a laugh.

Hayti wasn't the only team on the floor who likes to play a fullcourt, fast-paced game as the Mules were able to cut into their lead in the second quarter, thanks in large part to the play of Silas Dill and sophomore Jake Welch as Hayti took a 45-39 lead into the break.

When play resumed, it didn't take long for the tide to turn as the third quarter was all Bernie with the Mules outscoring Hayti 19-10. This surge was a total team effort as six different players scored in the third period, giving Bernie a 58-55 lead heading into the final frame.

It was a see saw battle coming down the stretch in the fourth quarter with five lead changes.

However the game was decided on the free throw line. Bernie shot just 54 percent (20-of-37) from the foul line on the night -- including several key misses in the fourth quarter.

"You're not going to win a lot of close games in the district shooting that poorly from the line," Botsch said.

A Jerome Covington long range jumper snapped a 70-all tie and Hayti ahead to stay with two minutes to play, and the Indians made their free throws to hold off a late Bernie comeback.

"Our free throw shooting was the key," Cooper said. "We shot better than they did from the line and that's what won it for us."

Dill ended his high school career with a bang as he led Bernie with 25 points, while Welch and Jake Owens each pumped in 12 points on the night.

Hayti was paced by Presberry and Cooper with 20 and 16 points, respectively, while Michael Vaughn added 15 in the victory.

The Indians will meet South Iron at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff next Wednesday night in sectional action.

"We'll start getting ready for South Iron tonight and tomorrow," Hayti coach Phillip Taylor said after Friday's win.

Notes: Hayti's bench outscored Bernie's reserves 16-13 on the night. ... The Mules can return four starters next season as Dill is the lone senior starter on the squad. ... The Indians shot 48 percent (11-for-23) from the foul line on the game.

Brad Hurt of the SEMO News Service provided some of the information for this story.