Seniors leave Braves in good hands

COLUMBIA -- Scott County Central senior Drew Thomas said he started believing that the Braves had the talent to win a state title early during his sophomore year.

"We started [that year] in the Oran tournament and we started out playing a little sluggish," Thomas said. "And then we had a game, we was playing Doniphan, and we were supposed to lose. And I came out and I think I had 30 [points] that game, and ever since that day I knew that we could win this."

For Thomas, he reached his long-term goal of winning a state championship in his final basketball game as a high school athlete. The 6-foot guard posted 29 points to lead his team to a 98-63 rout over Newtown-Harris in the Class 1 title game at Mizzou Arena on Saturday, helping the Braves to their 13th title in school history.

While Thomas put an exclamation point on his remarkable career, two of Thomas' teammates -- junior Bobby Hatchett and sophomore Otto Porter -- made loud statements that Scott County is back on the map and has enough talent to win title No. 14 next year.

Hatchett poured in 29 points. Porter, whose nickname is Bubba, posted his second straight double-double as he scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

"That was one of the best games they have played all year," Scott County senior Desmin Williams said about the combined effort of Thomas, Hatchett and Porter. "I guess [Hatchett and Porter] was trying to make a statement because now that me, Drew and [Randy Timmons] are gone, it's just going to be Bubba and Bobby left. They just made a statement for many years to come."

Thomas, Hatchett and Porter combined for 60 points in the first half alone to help the Braves build a remarkable 64-35 halftime lead and break the record for most points scored by one team in a half during a state tournament game. The previous record was 56 points. That means that Thomas, Hatchett and Porter combined for four more points than any entire team has scored during a half in final four history.

Porter and Hatchett were especially strong on defense as they led the Braves' relentless press. Hatchett forced five steals and Porter added four. Thomas chipped in three.

Hatchett was extremely aggressive defending with both hands high in the air throughout the game. He made a pretty steal in the second quarter by blocking a pass by Newtown-Harris guard KJ Cool. Hatchett then retrieved the ball and dribbled in for an uncontested layup.

Newtown-Harris also had difficulty passing over or around the 6-7 Porter.

"They weren't throwing it real high," Porter said. "They were just trying to make quick, sharp passes and I was able to stretch and get them and knock them down."

Williams said he never has seen Porter play better on the press than he did in the title game.

"To me, tonight was the best night that he ever played on the press," Williams said. "As soon as the ball was there, he was there."

When Porter was asked to sum up the way Scott County's top three players played in three words, he simply replied: "We did it."

Hatchett had an enormous first quarter offensively, scoring 16 points. He netted two 3-pointers from the top of the key over a 17-second span in the final minute of the period to help build his team's lead to 20 points. Hatchett said that he did not surprise himself one bit by the way he played.

"Coach was in my ear telling me to give them a taste of what's going to happen next year," Hatchett said. "I just started playing my game and I gave it my all."

Thomas certainly was impressed by the way Hatchett played.

"I told Bobby that with me being somewhat of the shooter on the team that some things next year he's got to do," Thomas said. "He's got to try to take over a little bit of my role, and my role was the scoring role and his role was dishing the ball and whatever. I think tonight he went out there and showed me that he can play that [scoring] role. He's doing a good job and I think he can lead the team next year."

Thomas scored many of his baskets by penetrating to the hoop. He said at times he was feeling a little off with his jump shot, so he tried to take the ball to the basket more.

Thomas scored the first four points of the game, had 10 points in the first quarter and added 12 in the second quarter. Thomas had expressed numerous times after state playoff games that he would not be satisfied until his team earned first place.

Scott County's big three finally knows what it is like to be champions.

"I've been working for this all my varsity basketball career," Thomas said. "To get up here and get that first-place title and for me to finally get it, it's an honor."