TOP-RANKED RAMS MAUL MALDEN

SCOTT CITY -- Scott City High's Rams took the court for the first time Tuesday night as the state's top-ranked Class 2A boys basketball team.

If the Rams felt the pressure of trying to live up to their lofty status, it sure didn't show.

Seeing their first action since the most recent state poll -- the one that had Scott City at the top of the list for the first time in school history -- was released, the Rams put on a virtual clinic in rolling past visiting Malden 90-58.

The Rams, who claimed their 12th straight victory, improved their record to 18-1. The Green Wave fell to 6-10.

"It's great," said Scott City coach Derek McCord of the No. 1 ranking. "There's some pressure that goes along with it, but I think it's a good kind of pressure. I think it keeps us mentally alert.

"We talk about how people are going to be gunning for us now. When you get the No. 1 ranking, the target just gets bigger and bigger."

Malden was no match for Scott City. The Green Wave scored the game's first basket, but Scott Johnston scored six straight points -- all on layups -- as the Rams went up 6-2 and never looked back.

Johnston had 10 first-quarter points as Scott City opened up a 30-13 lead. It was 52-30 at halftime and 72-48 entering the final period.

"We had great effort tonight. I was really pleased," McCord said. "We had guys getting down after loose balls. These kids are really working hard. They're starting to play as a unit. We had a lot of unselfish play tonight."

Ryan Weatherspoon, the Rams' 6-foot-6 senior center, dominated the smaller Green Wave with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Weatherspoon had the play of the night in the second half when he spun around a defender and threw down a vicious two-handed dunk that temporarily knocked the rim down.

"That was a big-time play by Spoon," said McCord. "He's really finishing strong."

Ronald Watson scored 17 points while Johnston and David Enderle each added 16. Enderle, the Rams' point guard, also had nine assists.

"David was everywhere tonight," said McCord.

The Rams dominated the boards 31 to 18 and their pressure defense helped force 24 turnovers. Scott City had 12 turnovers.

"We did a good job rebounding," McCord said. "That was one of the things we emphasized before the game, to hit the boards against an athletic team.

Malden got 14 points from Lance Shearer, 12 from Jon Mathews and 11 from Nicus Shurn.

"They've got some really good athletes," said McCord of the Green Wave. "They beat Kennett and they only lost to Portageville by about 10 or so. To beat them by 32 is really good."

McCord said the Rams, who face some tough games late in the season -- including a matchup at top-ranked Class 3A Dexter and contests against Portageville and Kennett -- must simply strive to keep improving.

"We just have to keep working hard to get better," he said. "Complacency is our biggest enemy now."

Scott City hosts East Prairie Friday night.