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For a few moments, Dillon Deck’s frustration finally broke through and eclipsed his otherwise stoic, on-court demeanor.

Shortly into the fourth quarter, Smithville’s dominant post player had yet to record a second-half field goal when he was whistled for a pushing foul on a routine lob pass. Deck muttered to himself as he jogged down the floor.

“It frustrated me at first, but you just have to work through our offense and then it comes open,” he said. “I just try to forget about it and go on playing the game.”

Deck kept his cool, however, and led a resurgent Smithville squad to a pivotal win Tuesday, Dec. 29, against Fort Osage, 47-30, in the consolation semifinals of the Bank Midwest/William Jewell Holiday Classic. The 6-foot-6 junior once again dominated the paint and scored a game-high 25 points, but more importantly, he received some additional help from the Warriors supporting cast.

Senior Jake Butterworth chipped in 10 points, Austin Frerichs knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and a swarming Smithville defense didn’t allow the Indians a fourth-quarter field goal.

The contest gave coach Chad Jones something to smile about after a disappointing setback to Springfield Glendale the day before in the first round of the annual tournament.

“Our guards have got to put some balls in the hole for us,” Jones said. “We need those guards to step up and pick up the slack when people are double- and triple-teaming him.

“I think they have the ability to do that.”

The Warriors looked ready to run away with the game midway through the third quarter, when Frerichs smoothly canned his second trey on a nice, inside-outside look from Andrew Townsend.

But Fort Osage quickly wrestled away the momentum behind a slew of Smithville turnovers. The Indians poured in five straight field goals to close the third frame on a 10-2 run and pull to within two possessions — 31-26.

“That’s been a struggle with us all year, playing four quarters,” Jones said. “We really focused on getting the intensity and the energy back up in the fourth and taking control on the defensive end again.”

Despite a slow start to the fourth period, Deck soon got his team back on track. Limited to only two points in the third, Deck broke loose for 10 in the last quarter and snag a handful of additional rebounds to finish with 12 and yet another double-double.

Butterworth knocked down a pair of mid-range shots down the stretch as well during a 14-2 run that put the game out of reach and gave Deck a brief breather.

“It makes me feel a lot better when they can contribute,” said Deck, who also swatted away five Indian shots. “It takes a little pressure off me.”

Though they committed 19 turnovers, the Warriors forced 17 against Fort Osage and managed five steals.

Smithville’s biggest test of the week remains before them, however, in a talented, athletic Raytown squad that it will face at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 30, in the consolation final of the Nelson Division.

Packed with aggressive guards, the Blue Jays are a steal-happy bunch who likely will push the tempo and are led by dynamic scoring guard Frank Williams, a 6-6 senior who has notched 39 points, 10 rebounds and five steals through the first two games of the tourney.

“If we can control them, control tempo tomorrow, we’ve got a good chance,” Jones said. “We’ve just got to value the ball and get shots every time down the court.”

Sports writer Andy Meyer can be reached at 389-3362 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it