St. Clair split a pair of road boys basketball contests during the week.
The Bulldogs (6-9) suffered a 76-70 loss Tuesday at Park Hills Central, but bounced back Thursday with a 67-43 victory at Northwest.
St. Clair is seeded fifth for next week’s Union Tournament, opening against fourth-seeded Crystal City Monday at 7:30 p.m.
The tournament schedule can be found at www.emissourian.com.
Northwest
St. Clair cruised to a win Thursday at Northwest, the alma mater of Bulldogs Head Coach Casey Korn.
The Bulldogs held leads of 15-8 after one quarter, 35-22 at halftime and 56-31 after three quarters.
“We played a much more complete game. We challenged the team to be in the game mentally and physically for the entire game and the boys responded,” said Korn. “We were able to run some things we have been practicing, but never used in a game.”
Neyko Dominguez led the way with 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
“Neyko played another really nice game. We are starting to be on the same page. He has learned what and how I want things attacked,” Korn said. “I put a lot of responsibility on my point guard. He’s done a great job since break.”
Ben Feddersen finished the game with 11 points.
“Feddersen did a very nice job early getting touches and scoring or making something happen,” Korn said.
Adam Brott, Reno Jones and Evan Powell each added eight points.
Brandon York scored five points. Spencer Crumbaugh, Will Rolley and Evan Murphy each had two points.
“Our scoring was balanced outside of Dominguez, which makes a team hard to guard,” Korn said. “We finally won the 50-50 balls, diving after every loose ball, and that energy carried over to the bench.”
Adnan Al-Amami scored 16 points for the Lions (1-15), who are seeded sixth for next week’s Union Tournament.
Park Hills Central
St. Clair fell short Tuesday against a Park Hills Central team that won its own 16-school Christmas Tournament this season.
The Bulldogs led 15-13 at halftime and the game was tied at halftime, 31-31.
The difference was the third quarter, where the Rebels (9-2) outscored the Bulldogs, 27-17.
“We played really well at times, but another stretch let us down. We couldn’t get a stop in the third quarter,” said Korn. “A combination of our turnovers and not getting back in transition lead to easy baskets and they made really tough shots.”
Dominguez flirted with a triple double, finishing the game with 20 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. He was 8-9 from the free-throw line.
“Neyko played a great game,” Korn said. “A couple good shots didn’t fall, but he still almost had a triple double.”
York added 13 points and five rebounds.
Murphy had nine points and four rebounds. Austin Gotway also scored nine points.
Feddersen registered seven points and four rebounds. Brott had six points and five rebounds.
Rolley scored four points. Jones and Powell both had one point.
“It’s all about giving everything you have mentally and physically for 32 minutes, and right now we are there for 30 of them. Those 2 minutes have been the difference in a couple of games,” Korn said. “Our guys have never quit. We just need to put 32 minutes together.”
