MONTGOMERY CITY, Mo. - The North Callaway Thunderbirds were only down four points midway through the fourth quarter, but the Montgomery County Wildcats took control down the stretch for the EMO win Friday night.
North Callaway (2-7, 0-3 Eastern Missouri Conference) trailed 16-13 after one quarter and 35-29 at halftime. The Thunderbirds closed within 54-50 entering the fourth quarter, but Montgomery County outscored North Callaway 24-14 over the last 8 minutes to seal the victory.
Sophomore guard Dawson Wright and freshman guard Gabe Cash - making his first varsity start - provided 16 points apiece to guide four players in double figures for the Thunderbirds. Sophomore guard Khobi Kellerman came off the bench to contribute 12 points and five steals, while freshman forward Tully Thomsen had 10 points.
Wright and junior forward Tanner Pezold topped North Callaway with eight rebounds apiece.
"The team played really well, and we played with (Montgomery County) right up until the end," Thunderbirds head coach Matt Miller said. "Everybody contributed who played.
"We're really close to beating a lot of good teams."
Chase Parrish put up a game-high 27 points to lead three players in double figures for the Wildcats (8-1, 2-0). Aubrey Nelson added 19 points and Tim Hall finished with 11.
North Callaway (2-5) lost the junior varsity game 30-24. Sophomore guard Andrew Locastro scored a team-high nine points.
The Thunderbirds are the sixth seed for this week's South Callaway Tournament and will face No. 3 New Bloomfield in the first round at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The game will be played at the middle school.