McNairy Central boys in uncharted territory with berth in district title game

SELMER - The last time the McNairy Central boys basketball team played for a district title, none of the current players were even alive.

So as first-year head coach Stacy Riley has tried to build the Bobcats' program back up, there have been challenges and moments of adversity.

McNairy Central felt a few of those on Saturday, but the Bobcats came away with a 72-65 victory over Lexington in overtime to advance to the District 14-AA title game.

"We definitely came out nervous the first quarter, but we settled down," Riley said. "These guys have done a good job all year long adjusting, and I am really proud of them. A lot of people didn't expect them to be here, but that just motivates them."

McNairy Central (20-6) will play in the district title game for the first time since 1998, and the Bobcats will try to win its first district crown since 1997 as they face South Side on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

With five straight losing seasons entering this year, none of the McNairy Central players had ever experienced a winning season.

"We have worked hard in practice everyday," McNairy Central senior Rondo Beard said. "Everybody builds off of each other."

There have been turning points throughout the season as the Bobcats have had to prove they are ready for the big stage.

"We have to settle down and play our game," Riley said. "We have to do what we do, and the results will take care of themselves. Win or loss, we just have to play our best."

During regulation on Saturday, there was adversity as they didn't play their best in the first half as Lexington jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter. And the team could have quit in the fourth when McNairy Central was called for a foul on a 3-point shot with 1.5 seconds remaining.

"We had to pick the pressure up, and everybody clicked in," Beard said. "We knew we just had to keep fighting."

But the Bobcats proved they were ready for the challenge.

"They just kept fighting," Riley said. "We have been preaching mental toughness all year. They have grown all year long, and we have had some seniors step up and help lead us."

When playing with some jitters, having the district tournament on your home court helps also.

"It does help," Riley said. "We had a good crowd here, and we knew Lexington was a good team."

Tuesday will bring a new set of challenges with a South Side team that has reached the region semifinals for seven straight seasons.

"We have to play our game," Riley said. "We are trying to build a program like they have had for years. We have to come out ready."

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.