High school boys' basketball: Simmons, Hornets hold off rival Mexico in semifinals

Fulton to square off against Kirksville for District 8 championship tonight

MEXICO - Fulton freshman guard Courtland Simmons responded with a game-high 23 points as the No. 2 seed Hornets outlasted No. 3 Mexico 73-67 in the semifinals of the Class 4, District 8 Tournament late Tuesday night.

Fulton - which won all three meetings with North Central Missouri Conference rival Mexico this season - raised its season record to 15-10. The Hornets have won three in a row and 10 of their last 13.

Tuesday night's contest was tied at 10-all after one quarter, but Fulton outscored Mexico 27-24 in the second quarter to go in front 37-34 at halftime. The Hornets opened up a 53-42 lead late in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs countered with a 10-0 run to make it a one-point game early in the fourth quarter.

Fulton was able to extend its lead to 60-54 on a 3-pointer from freshman guard Walker Gohring and a layup by freshman guard Josh Reams. Mexico, though, closed within 62-60 with 3 minutes left in the contest.

The Hornets pushed their advantage to 67-60 and then secured their spot in the District 8 championship game when Simmons stole three straight passes and converted two into layups.

Senior forward Tyler Sayler added 14 points for Fulton. Gohring was next with 13 points and senior forward John Adams provided 10.

"This was another game where our guys had to grind it out the entire (way)," Hornets head coach Justin Gilmore said. "It is never easy to beat a team three times, and it's especially not easy when it is a team as talented as Mexico.

"I thought our guys did a great job at winning the rebounding and turnover battles. Mexico tried to speed us up with its press, but our guys were poised and strong with the ball, and made great decisions all night."

Isaiah Reams paced Mexico (14-12) with 21 points.

Fulton will face the top-seeded Kirksville Tigers (20-5) for the District 8 title at 7:30 tonight. Kirksville advanced with a 56-40 victory over No. 5 seed Hannibal in Tuesday night's other semifinal.

Fulton dropped both of its NCMC matchups with Kirksville during the regular season. The Hornets lost at home to the Tigers 61-42 on Dec. 20 and then bowed at Kirksville 64-60 on Feb. 14.

Fulton will be seeking its first district championship since 1996.

"Kirksville is a big, long team and we will have to be on our game, especially rebounding, to come out on top," Gilmore said. "The Fulton community really came out and supported us (Tuesday night) and I'm sure Thursday will be no different.

"Our guys are hungry and they are ready. (It) should be a fun game."