SCOTT CENTRAL GIRLS WIN REGIONAL GAME

SIKESTON -- With two freshmen and a sophomore starting for the Scott County Central Bravettes, the future looks awfully bright.

Of course, with a 67-60 Class 1A regional basketball win over the Naylor Lady Eagles Monday night at Sikeston High School Field House, the present doesn't look all that bad either.

Sophomore Ashley Whitson poured home 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Bravettes into Wednesday night's sectional game against Bunker in Poplar Bluff. Scott Central improved to 14-11 while Naylor ended its season with a 10-12 mark.

"Ashley is new to our program this year but she looked real good," Scott Central coach Semona Penrod said. "If she plays to her potential you'll see some 30 (point) games."

Freshman guard Vontrice Blackmon, the leading scorer for Scott Central entering the game, added 13 points.

"We're a young team and have a lot of hope for the future," Penrod said. "When they're clicking, we definitely look like a state tournament team."

Penrod admitted her team wasn't clicking on all cylinders Monday. But the Bravettes had more than enough talent to put away a scrappy Naylor bunch for the third year in a row.

The previous two sectional matchups between the two teams were blowouts for the Bravettes. But this year, under new head coach Toni Lewis, Naylor never let Scott Central run away with the game.

"We were more competitive but we should be," Lewis said. "Three of our juniors have been starting since they were freshmen."

Senior Shonna Parrent, also three-year starter, led the Lady Eagles with 19 points. Parrent, a 5-foot-6 guard, drew several fouls with penetration and made 12 of 15 free throws.

After a competitive first quarter ended with the Bravettes leading 17-15, Naylor opened the second quarter with a bucket by center Kristy Wertenberger to knot the score. Wertenberger ended with 17 points but it was a close as the Lady Eagles would ever come to taking a lead in the game.

Scott Central got its transition game in gear to reel off the next eight points. Tashika Raby ended the run with a basket to give the Bravettes a 25-17 lead at the 4:55 mark and they maintained a comfortable lead from that point on.

Raby, a 5-11 junior, scored 14 points on the night and by halftime Scott Central led 37-26.

Scott Central took its biggest lead of the game with a basket by Raby to open the second half and put the Bravettes up 39-26. Naylor never seriously threatened as the Bravettes sank 13 of 16 free throws in the game to hold off any comeback bid by the Lady Eagles.

Naylor also shot well from the charity stripe, making 16 of 22 free tosses.

Richland 87

Clarkton 62

In Monday's regional boys game at Sikeston, defending 1A state champion Richland easily advanced by rolling past upstart Clarkton.

The Rebels (24-4) will play Winona Wednesday night in the sectional round in Poplar Bluff.

Richland jumped all over Clarkton to start the game, outscoring the Reindeer 30-12 in the second quarter to take a 53-31 lead at halftime.

Tony Herrion scored 21 points to lead the Rebels and teammate Jeremy Conner added 20.

Clarkton finished the season at 13-14.