On Feb. 24 in Portageville, Scott City High led the hosts 41-22 at halftime and cruised to a 70-62 victory in its final regular-season game.

Don't expect a similar result when the teams meet at 8:15 tonight in a Class 2A sectional game at Cape Girardeau Central's Tiger Fieldhouse, Scott City coach Derek McCord said.

"No way," he said. "They played poorly. This is a whole new ballgame. I look for it to be a very close game. We don't think that's any indicator of what kind of game this is going to be."

Portageville coach Jim Bidewell isn't convinced his team will live up to McCord's expectations.

"We'll have to play exceptionally well to beat 'em," he said. "We would have to play our best; even then it might not be enough. We'll have all we can handle."

Scott City is 27-2 and ranked No. 6 in Missouri Class 2A. Portageville (22-4) was ranked for much of the season but is not ranked currently.

The way the Bulldogs have played lately, they might deserve it. Portageville hammered No. 8 Senath-Hornersville 73-50 in the District 1 final.

"They're just playing so much better now," McCord said. "Their intensity has picked up a few notches. They have a lot of athletic ability; they're a lot quicker than we are, they jump a lot better.

"They have the ability to just take you out of your offense. I don't think they're an underdog at all. I think at this point in time both teams are playing well."

Scott City, which has won 11 straight games and is 79-11 the last three seasons, pounded Woodland 67-47 in the District 2 final. Scott City won its first-ever sectional game two years ago against East Carter County and lost to the Redbirds in a rematch last season.

"It's been a dream season," McCord said. "This has been one of my most fun seasons in coaching because the kids are fun to coach. They work hard and we just want to keep going."

McCord said the Bulldogs are quick and, to be successful, his team must box the Bulldogs out on the boards, stop dribble penetration and handle the ball against pressure.

"They're probably the best rebounding team we've played this season," said McCord.

Scott City's Jon Beck, a junior guard, has averaged 23 points and six rebounds a game this season. Senior guard Tim Lowery has averaged 15 points and 6-foot-5 sophomore Ryan Weatherspoon has scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds per contest. Howie Stubenrauch and Adam Spinks are the other two starters.

Senior Gerald Pickering leads Portageville with 14 points a game. The other starters, seniors J.R. Garmon and Richie Garmon and juniors Torry Saxton and Brett Smith, each average between eight and 10 points, as does William Dirden, a talented 6-3 sophomore.

"Dirden has been playing really well," McCord said. "Pickering is probably one of the more exciting players to watch. He's got a tremendous vertical leap."