Braves remain impressive in tournament repeat

Scott County Central put on an amazing performance during the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament for the second straight year.

If you were at the Show Me Center last week to watch the 65th annual boys basketball event, you had to be impressed. I sure was.

The defending Class 1 state champion Braves again rolled past all four teams they faced, just like last season.

None of SCC's eight Christmas Tournament opponents over the past two years came closer than 12 points. The Braves' only remotely competitive game during that span was Tuesday's 79-67 semifinal win over Charleston. The next night, SCC scored 19 of the first 21 points, led by as many as 38 points and blitzed upstart Cape Central 75-47 to repeat as champion.

After losing leading scorer Drew Thomas and two other starters from last season's powerhouse squad, the conventional thinking was that, while still strong, the Braves might not be quite as potent this year.

I'm not sure that's the case because SCC's two returning standouts -- dazzling senior point guard Bobby Hatchett and smooth 6-foot-8 junior forward Otto Porter -- have improved and their supporting cast is not exactly chopped liver.

But it's Hatchett and Porter who make the Braves go. What's so impressive about them is that they're not only exceptional small-school performers, they're exceptional for any level and rank as two of the state's premier players regardless of classification.

No wonder SIU coach Chris Lowery made the trip from Carbondale, Ill., to check out SCC's dynamic duo in the championship game. Also in the house, for all four days of the tournament, was Southeast Missouri State coach Dickey Nutt and his staff.

Plenty of other Division I programs are also recruiting Hatchett and Porter. It's going to be interesting to see just where those two end up in college.

It's also going to be interesting to see if any Class 1 squad can slow down the Braves in their quest to repeat as state champions. I don't see that happening.

While Cape Central was no match for SCC in the title contest, the sixth-seeded Tigers had quite a tournament themselves. They pulled off the week's two big upsets, knocking off No. 3 Jackson in the quarterfinals and No. 2 Notre Dame in the semifinals.

For a final tournament note, plenty of kudos should go out to all the tourney organizors -- led by director Mitch Wood -- who once again put on a tremendous event.

It never ceases to amaze me how efficient and well-run the tournament always is. It's easy to take that for granted, but that shouldn't be the case.

Also deserving a shout-out are those responsible for once again providing outstanding hospitality room food. Thanks to those folks, I never have to worry about finding a great meal during the four days of the tournament.

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Although it's not scheduled, word is that there just might be another SCC-Sikeston matchup put together this season, although I doubt if it would be at the Show Me Center like last year's classic affair won by Michael Porter-led Sikeston in front of a sellout crowd.

Scott Central-Sikeston II would still be interesting because, while the Braves are loaded again, the Bulldogs also are solid, although not as strong now that Porter has moved on to Missouri State.

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The Southeast men's basketball team has little margin for error this season since Nutt's rebuilding Redhawks aren't going to be as talented as most squads they face.

That's why the Redhawks can't afford to dig themselves an early hole, as was the case Saturday against Tennessee Tech when the Eagles scored 16 of the first 18 points and never trailed in an 82-73 victory.

It certainly appeared to be a winnable game for Southeast (4-9, 1-2), which makes tonight's home contest with Jacksonville State (5-7, 1-1) even more important.

The Redhawks got off to a solid OVC start by splitting their first two conference games on the road. Facing three straight contests away from home after this one, Southeast really needs a win to stamp itself as a legitimate contender to make the OVC tournament.

While Southeast's men lost Saturday, the women notched their first OVC victory, 61-56 over Tennessee Tech. The young Redhawks (4-8, 1-2) should have a strong opportunity to even their conference record today when struggling Jacksonville State (3-9, 0-2) visits the Show Me Center.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.