BY JIM MISUNAS
HUTCHINSON – It’d been 52 years since the Barton Community College men beat Butler Community College in postseason play.
The No. 1 ranked Cougars rallied past Butler 79-76 in Friday’s Region 6 basketball semifinal.
It was sweet revenge for the Cougars, who were eliminated by Butler in last year’s Region 6 championship. The Cougars hadn’t beaten Butler since 1972 in postseason play. The Cougars swept the Grizzlies after beating them 65-61 and 93-71 in league play.
The Cougars (31-1) are guaranteed an NJCAA berth, but would like to lock down the No. 1 NJCAA seed with a victory in Saturday’s 5 p.m. championship . Hutchinson Community College (27-5) is also virtually assured of an NJCAA berth after beating Cowley College 89-83 Friday.
“Hats off to the guys for finding a way to win,” said Barton coach Jeremy Coombs “Down the stretch, we played smart. It was total stress. It’s a big stage, and we were too fired up. We didn’t play well. We slowed down and went back to what we are doing.”
Barton’s Lajae Jones delivered back-to-back clutch plays with a driving basket and 3-pointer for a 66-63 lead. After the Grizzlies rallied, Cooper Jackson converted a layup off a steal for a 74-70 lead.
Barton’s Myles Thompson scored inside for a 76-72 lead, but Butler’s Jaquez Thornton nailed a 3-pointer for a 76-75 score. Butler had a chance to win the game, but Mozae Downing-Rivers recovered a loose ball that Cooper Jackson converted into a pair of free throws for a 78-75 lead with 13 seconds left in regulation.
Barton’s Brent Moss and Butler’s Jason Drake each made late free throws. Butler’s Drake missed a desperation 3-pointer on the game’s final shot.
Jones led the Cougars with 23 points and 10 rebounds for a double/double. Hutchinson native Myles Thompson scored 17 points. Jackson (12) and Downing-Rivers (10) scored in double figures. Downing-Rivers contributed 10 assists for back-to-back double/doubles.
Butler’s Christian Richardson (18), Jamichael Stillwell (16), Drake (12) and Kaleb Washington (12) scored in double figures.
“The biggest thing was slowing down No. 4 (Jamichael Stillwell),” Coombs said. “He leads NJCAA in rebounding. Butler was playing physical. The second half, we did a better job shot faking and started going through their chin.”
Butler 41 35 – 76
Barton 36 43 — 79
BUTLER (23-9)—Richardson 8-9 2-2 18, Stillwell 6-13 2-3 16, Drake 4-10 1-4 12, Washington 4-10 2-3 12, Haynie 3-4 0-1 9, Thornton 3-8 0-0 4, McClennahan 1-4 0-0 2, Arnold 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 29-58 6-11 76.
BARTON (31-1)—Jones 8-14 4-6 23, Thompson 8-14 1-6 17, Jackson 3-11 5-5 12, Downing-Rivers 2-8 5-10 10, Kindell 3-7 2-2 9, Malith 2-6 1-2 5, Moss 0-1 3-6 3, Surakat 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 26-62 21-37 79.
3-pointers—BC 11-23 (Haynie 3-3, Drake 3-4, Washington 2-5, Stillwell 2-6, Thornton 1-3, McClennahan 0-2); Barton 6-14 (Jones 3-5, Kindell 1-1, Downing-Rivers 1-2, Jackson 1-2, Malith 0-2, Thompson 0-2). Rebounds—BC 42 (Stillwell 8); Barton 34 (Jones 10). Assists—BC 17 (Drake 5, Thornton 5); Barton 16 (Downing-Rivers 10). Steals—BC 3; Barton 11 (Downing-Rivers 5). TO—BC 19; Barton 7.
MEN'S REGION 6 TOURNAMENT
CHAMPIONSHIP—Barton 31-1 vs. Hutchinson (27-5)
SEMIFINALS—Barton 79, Butler 76; Hutchinson 89, Cowley 83
SECOND ROUND—Barton 83, Coffeyville 72; Butler 77, Cloud 69; Cowley 87, NW Tech 69; Hutchinson 88, Garden City 87 (OT)
FIRST ROUND—Coffeyville 88, Pratt 77; Cloud 79, Colby 54; NW Tech 85, Dodge City 74; Garden City 78, Seward 65
