Jackson Gloth shines as Scott City Rams stampede to 20th win with 86-25 rout

Scott City dominated Malden 86-25 on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to win its 20th game of the season.

The Rams stampeding over their opponents is nothing new this season. However, the uniqueness of the result was as to who led in scoring.

Junior Jackson Gloth scored 19 points on a perfect 9-of-9 shooting, including a 3-point basket in the third quarter to lead the charge. Much like he did for others, Gloth credited his teammates for setting himself up for success by getting him "open shots of the basket".

Gloth has been sandwiched between the sophomore and senior trio that has contributed to much of the Scott City offense this season. Sophomores Braeden Walton and Max Snider scored 15 and 13 points, respectfully, and senior Kobe Watson added 12 to round out the double-digit scorers for the Rams. The team has averaged 74.3 points per game without the need for Gloth to be the scorching scorer.

However, the supporting role of the facilitator through defense is where Gloth thrives the most.

"Contributing to them helps me a lot," Gloth said. "I like that mostly more than scoring myself."

The game was already decided after the first quarter alone. Walton's 11 points led a 32-point barrage in the opening period as the Rams led 32-8. Scott City kept its foot on the gas in the second quarter with a 27-8 onslaught to lead 59-16 entering halftime.

"We came out tremendous with our defense," Gloth said.

The Rams nearly pitched a shutout in the third quarter, allowing only one point on a free throw from the Green Wave. Throughout the game, Malden never scored more than eight points in a quarter.

The Rams' defense has allowed 44.1 points per game. Like their offensive numbers, the Rams' defensive averages are lower than any previous season since 2009.

"Our defense has stepped up," Gloth said. "Our man-defense has stepped up, zone has been working best for us lately, but man has been working better lately."

Gloth did most of his damage during the third quarter with 11 of the Rams' 17 points during the period. Gloth was helped by his teammates "getting open shots for me, driving, kicking to me, allow me to dribble, go baseline, drive."

The fourth quarter was a quiet one by comparison, with the junior varsity players getting some playing time on the varsity court. Gavin Rodgers and Kayden Talley each hit 3-pointers to highlight the Scott City attack in the final minutes.

Three players scored six points for the Green Wave as Zion Bell, Brayden Cunningham and Landon DeProw combined to score 18 of Malden's 25 points. Dyentez Dobbins (five) and Logan Perkins (two) scored the other seven points.

Scott City (20-3) is riding a nine-game winning streak and with three more games to go before the Class 3 District 2 Tournament, the Rams have a chance to surpass their 22 wins before the end of the regular season.

The Rams will host Perryville on Friday, Feb. 14, while Malden (1-18) will travel to Bloomfield on Thursday, Feb. 13.