SCC boys basketball team disposes of Bell City 78-40 to reach district final

DELTA, Mo. -- It's district time in the Class 1 District 2 boys basketball season.

Like clockwork, the Scott County Central Braves are vying for the title.

SCC (21-5) dispatched of Bell City 78-40 in the first semifinal Monday night at Delta High School to earn a shot at the championship.

"I get more excited every year," SCC senior Larandis Banks said. "Playoff time is the best time of the year. You just want to take it one game at a time."

The Braves, who have won 10 consecutive district championships, had little trouble in finding a place in the district title game.

SCC jumped out to a 32-5 lead after the opening eight minutes of play.

The Braves' full-court pressure was on display, forcing the Cubs (6-17) to speed up.

SCC took full advantage, forcing countless turnovers and earning easy baskets in transition.

"I think we did what we had to do," SCC coach Frank Staple said. "We wanted to match our intensity from Saturday, and I thought we actually took that up a notch. I was happy with our effort."

The Braves hit the 50-point mark on Trevion Moore's free throw with 2 minutes, 16 seconds remaining in the first half.

SCC led 54-11 at the break.

"We just wanted to come out focused," Banks said. "We didn't want to take anybody for granted. Come out and play every game as hard as we can. Any night any team can lose."

The Cubs showed heart in the second half, battling the Braves' reserves every step of the way, and outdueling Scott County 29-24 in the second half.

The Braves were simply too much in the first 16 minutes.

"I'm happy with where we are," Staples said. "All year we've just been trying to push and get better and better. We wanted to be firing on all cylinders come district time. Right now I'm happy with the way we're playing and where we're at, but first we have to keep pushing."

Cameron Blissett led the way for SCC with 21 points. Banks added 14 points and Jeffery Porter tallied 10.

Nate Finney paced the Cubs with 13 points.

For the Braves, the familiar territory never gets old.

"When district time comes, something just turns out with the kids and fans and just the whole environment at Scott Central," Staple said. "It's really something there. We're just excited and ready to play, and we'll give it our best on Thursday."

Scott County 32 22 15 9 -- 78

Bell City 5 6 14 15 -- 40

SCOTT COUNTY (78) -- Drake Kesler 5, Juwan Owens 4, Trevion Moore 2, LaRandis Banks 14, Jeffery Porter 10, Jovanta Daniel 5, Cameron Blissett 21, Matthew Blissett 8, Jerry Harrington 5, Tyreek Williams 4. FG 29, FT 5-8, F 12. (3-pointers: Kesler 1, Banks 2, C. Blissett 1, Harrington 1. Fouled out: none)

BELL CITY (40) -- Nate Finney 13, Kolten Siebert 7, Nolan Schaefer 2, Aaron Smith 3, Cole Nichols 1, Austin Hicks 5, Bobby Wright 3, Royce Liggins 2, Peyton Maddox 2, Quinton Herkenhoff 2. FG 11, FT 6-10, F 9. (3-pointers: Finney 1, Siebert 1, Hicks 1, Wright 1. Fouled out: none)