Blackburn wins first district title in coaching career as Reindeer rout Tigers

SEMO News Service photo by David Jenkins
Clarkton's Jordan Jones (left) spins away from Risco's Brandon Bennett during Thursday's district title game.

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The Clarkton basketball coach won his first district title in 20 seasons of coaching here Thursday night as his Reindeer ran by the Risco Tigers 90-60 in the championship game of the Class 1 District 1 Tournament.

"It's special (wining the district title)," an emotional Blackburn said after the game. "I've been in this 20 years now, to finally get one is just really special."

Risco coach Brandon Blankenship, a former player of Blackburn's, was pleased for his former coach.

"Although we didn't win tonight, I'm just really happy for Coach Blackburn. He coached me when I was in high school. He has influenced a lot of kids over the years and I'm just really happy he was able to get his first district title."

Risco (17-10) did all they could to hang in the game against the potent Reindeer as they trailed 20-12 after the first quarter.

A 35-point onslaught by Clarkton (20-6) in the second quarter put the Reindeer up 55-34 at the half and the game out of the Tigers reach.

Clarkton caused numerous Risco turnovers in the contest and out rebounded the Tigers handily.

"Ball control was a problem tonight," Blankenship said. "They (Clarkton) had us picking our dribble up at half court and we did not handle the ball well. Hats off to Clarkton though, they put a ton of pressure on us and were physical. It was tough for us to respond to that."

Blackburn pointed out that everything starts with defense on his squad.

"It was all about defense for us going into tonight," Blackburn said. "We didn't talk about offense before the game. We talked about rebounding and defensive pressure and the more successful we were on that end, the quicker we were able to get up and down the floor and we just kept knocking down shots."

And knock down shots they did, as Clarkton had a phenomenal shooting game notching 26 two-point field goals and a dizzying nine 3-pointers.

Blankenship felt Clarkton's offensive mix-and-match was too hard to overcome defensively.

"Early in the game they (Clarkton) were scoring off the dribble, so we adjusted to that," he said. "Then they started making them from outside and we adjusted to that, but they just shot the ball very well tonight."

Blackburn also noted that offensive variety is key to his gameplan.

"That is what makes our kids successful. We have the ability to drive in and score off the dribble and we also have kids who can step out and make some 3's."

The Reindeer were led offensively by Dustin Ferguson and Justin Brown with 26 and 21 points respectively.

Zack Williams and Ross Carter led the way for the Tigers with 16 and 15.

Blankenship said his team exceeded expectations this season.

"I don't think a lot of people expected us to be in this position at the beginning for the season, to have the chance to play for a district title," he said. "We had a great first half of the season. We were able to win the Clarkton Holiday Tournament and get a state-ranking for the first time in school history. I just can't say enough about this team as a whole. They really stepped it up and at times, played some really good basketball.

"I'm proud of our seniors (Chris Williams, Dillon Hill, Daniel Mims) and the role they played in this year."

Blankenship also pointed out that his team has much to build on for next year.

"We have some really good players coming back and some promising younger kids coming up. I think the two groups will mix well. We will just come back next year and work hard and see what happens."

Clarkton will face the winner of District 2 in sectional play Tuesday night at Poplar Bluff. Eminence and Lesterville will battle for the District 2 title Saturday evening at Bakersfield.