Jays rally to beat Zizzers (Rebroadcast Available)

Click here to listen to rebroadcast of the game

The Blue Jays displayed impressive teamwork late Thursday night, rallying for a 57-50 victory over West Plains at the Logan-Rogersville High School Basketball Tournament opening round.

Marshfield had 3 players score in double figures, another lead the team in rebounding, and all 10 Blue Jays turned in key plays during the game. The Blue Jays improved to 9-8 on the season with the win.

West Plains jumped on top by double figures in the first moments of the game as Marshfield had trouble getting the ball to fall through the hoop. The Zizzers led 16-9 after one period as the Blue Jays missed 10 of their first 14 shots.

Marshfield got a second period lift from senior Alex Bartow, cutting the lead to 23-17 by intermission.

Consecutive baskets by senior Nathan Van Diggelen gave Marshfield its first lead of the game at 24-23 early in the third period The lead changed hands often from that point, with the Zizzers leading 35-34 entering the final period.

"Our guys came out tonight and accepted a challenge in the second half," Marshfield coach Tom Stokes said. "They played physical and stood their ground. I thought every guy on the team contributed to this win."

Senior Kelby Phelps hit consecutive treys, then picked up a steal and scored again midway through the final period, giving Marshfield the lead for good at 53-46. The Blue Jays hit enough free throws, and did not allow second shots at the defensive end, to hold on for the win.

Phelps finished with 16 points in the game, making 3 bonus shots with a game-high 6 assists, 3 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot.

Nathan Van Diggelen added 11 points, 3 rebounds and a steal to the winning attack.

Charlie Williams made the most of an opportunity to start for Marshfield, scoring 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field with 9 rebounds and 6 blocked shots.

Marshfield finished with 10 blocked shots as a team, and the Jays interior defensive effort was a deciding factor.

Justin Jones was the leading rebounder for Marshfield, pulling down 12 boards while scoring 6 points with 3 assists in the game.

Justin Drane scored 7 points for the Blue Jays with 3 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot in the game.

Alex Bartow finished with 6 points, a rebound, a steal and a blocked shot in the game for Marshfield.

Cameron Keenan added a point, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists and a blocked shot for the winners.

Derek Welch had two rebounds, Jason Young had a rebound and a steal and Jordan Jones had a rebound for Marshfield, with each of the three contributing key defensive plays.

Caleb Walker led West Plains with 11 points, 17 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist.

Dustin Tidwell also scored 11 points in the game for the Zizzers, with 2 rebounds, a steal and an assist.

Justin Kraft finished with 8 points and 9 rebounds for West Plains.

Justin Alsup scored 6 points, Seth Miller finished with 5 points, Garrett Washington scored 4 points, Jonathan Esteves added 3 points and Jimmy Huff scored 2 points for the Zizzers. Former Marshfield athlete Skyler Townsend played but did not score for West Plains.

The Jays advance to the semifinals of the tournament tonight, facing host Rogersville at 7:30 p.m.

Lebanon will play Republic at 9 p.m. in the other semifinal.

The Marshfield junior varsity held off West Plains 56-54 in the Logan-Rogersville High School Junior Varsity Basketball Tournament Thursday night. The JV Blue Jays will also play host Rogersville in the semifinals tonight, with that contest set to start at 9 p.m. in the "little" gym.

On Saturday, Marshfield’s varsity will either play for third at 5:30 p.m. or in the finals at 7 p.m. The JV Jays will either play at 4:30 p.m. for third place or at 6 p.m. in the finals.

Click on pics below to enlarge.  Thanks to Jim Tyson for taking photos tonight!