BECK-LESS RAMS ROLL IN DISTRICT OPENER

BLOOMFIELD -- Scott City High's boys basketball team, playing without the injured Jon Beck, romped past East Prairie 80-52 Monday in an opening-round game in the Class 2A, District 2 tournament in Bloomfield.

In other quarterfinal games, Kelly handled Bloomfield 70-40, Puxico outlasted Woodland 67-51 and Notre Dame pounded Greenville 68-37.

In semifinal games Thursday, top-seeded Scott City will face No. 5 Puxico at 6:30 and No. 2 Kelly will meet No. 3 Notre Dame at 8. The championship contest is set for Friday night at 8.

Beck, a senior guard and Southeast Missouri's pre-eminent player, suffered an ankle sprain during practice Thursday. Beck elevated to block a teammate's shot and landed with his left leg on the foot of another player, twisting the ankle.

Beck sported a hard cast while seated on the bench during Monday's game, and his status for Thursday's semifinals is uncertain.

"Doctors are doubtful, but Beck says he'll play regardless Friday and maybe Thursday," said Scott City assistant coach Robert Stein, who filled in for head coach Derek McCord, whose wife gave birth Monday to their first child.

Scott City's Ryan Weatherspoon and Luke Sample lifted their games in Beck's absence. Weatherspoon had a game-high 20 points and Sample had 18 points and three 3-pointers. Lance Amick added 11 points.

Scott City, 25-2 and ranked No. 2 in its classification, led 24-12 after one quarter and 49-23 at halftime.

In Kelly's game, Bloomfield lingering within striking distance until the second half. Kelly led 19-11 at halftime but outscored the Wildcats 19-4 in the third quarter and 22-15 in the fourth.

Jim Hulshof's 19 points guided Kelly, and Jason Glastetter chipped in 11. Ryan Heaton and Dustin Hicks had 13 and 10 points respectively for Bloomfield.

Puxico rode a big first quarter to its win over Woodland. The Indians jumped out to a 17-6 edge after one quarter and led 42-33 heading into the fourth quarter. A 25-18 advantage in that period ensured a victory.

Mike Owens finished with 21 points for Puxico and J.W. Mattingly and Ryan Harmon each contributed 15. For Woodland, Jason Greer had 16 and Matt Cutsinger 12.

With its victory over Greenville, Notre Dame (13-12) won its ninth game in its last 10 tries and its fifth in a row. The Bulldogs lost to Kelly by 10 earlier this season.

On top 34-23 at halftime, Notre Dame outscored Greenville 16-7 in the third quarter and 18-7 in the fourth.

"Defensively we did a great job," Notre Dame coach Chris Janet said. "We're looking forward to the meeting (with Kelly). We've had some great ones in the past and I expect another good one."

The Bulldogs' John O'Rourke had eight steals. Zach Miller had 15 points and Mark Rubel, Michael Wehner and Anthony Ressel each added 10.

Class 1A, District 2

ORAN -- Scott City's Beck may be the area's consensus king of the hill, but Advance junior Garrett Broshuis keeps showing that he's a dandy of a player in his own right.

Broshuis erupted with 42 points as No. 4 Advance pulled away from No. 5 Risco 81-63 in a quarterfinal game.

Also Monday, No. 1 Oran topped Delta 52-38, No. Scott County Central beat No. 7 Bell City 86-72 and No. 6 Richland upset No. 3 Bernie 90-77 behind Cory Gipson's 45 points and 10 3-pointers. In semifinal games today, Oran and Advance will play at 6 and Scott Central and Richland will clash at 7:30.

In Advance's win, guard Adam Rainey tacked on 23 points. With the score tied 37-37 at halftime and 47-45 entering the fourth quarter, Advance outscored Risco 33-18 in the final period.

Travis Friga had 18 points and Ricky Eftink 10 in Oran's victory. The Eagles (19-8) outscored Delta 32-19 in the second half.

In Scott Central's triumph, Jreece Johnson had 32 points and Jon Fort added 28 on six 3-pointers.

Class 1A, District 3

FREDERICKTOWN -- Oak Ridge reached the century mark in scoring for the first time in school history in its easy victory over Kingston in a play-in game.

The Blue Jays, the No. 8 seed, won 100-52 and will play top-seeded Viburnum today at 5 in a quarterfinal contest.

Oak Ridge's Eric Hobeck led the way with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Brent Schreiner had 23 points and Darren Hahs added 21 as Oak Ridge improved to 2-21.