Southeast Missourian Athlete of the Week: Scott County Central's Javonta Daniel

Scott County Central senior Javonta Daniel scored a team-high 23 points to lead the Braves to a 53-48 victory over Mid-Buchanan in the Class 2 state championship Saturday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri.

Daniel missed only two of his 13 shots and battled foul trouble throughout the game. He played a total of 16 minutes and scored five of the Braves' final seven points in the victory.

"I just had to stay calm. Stay calm and just try to pull this one out. I wanted to be in there so bad," Daniel said about the final quarter, during which Mid-Buchanan tied the game in the opening minute. "I knew I would go back in eventually, so when I did I was going to lock it up."

The Braves finished the season 27-4 and claimed their second straight state title. The victory marks SCC's state-record 18th state crown, second in Class 2.