ORAN BOYS, SCC GIRLS SET FOR REGIONAL PLAY

Mitch Wood and Tim Harmon went to high school together at Holcomb, graduating a year apart.

Tonight at 6:30, the basketball teams they coach will square off when Wood's Oran Eagles play Harmon's Cooter Wildcats in a Class 1A Regional game at the Sikeston High School Field House.

At about 8, Scott County Central and Naylor will meet in the girls regional contest.

The winners of tonight's games advance to sectional action Wednesday night in Poplar Bluff.

"Mitch was a year behind me, but we know each other well and we're friends," said Harmon. "It's going to be kind of strange."

Said Wood, "We've coached against each other in baseball, but never basketball. It's going to be interesting."

But the coaching matchup aside, the real story line of tonight's game is something of a David vs. Goliath tale.

Consider Oran the Goliath. The 21-8 Eagles were seeded first in their district and, with many key players who have been three-year starters, getting to this point is not a surprise.

Cooter is certainly David. The 11-14 Wildcats were seeded just sixth in their district but they knocked off three higher seeds to win the title.

"They're a real surprise, but right now they're playing very well," said Wood. "They're a scrappy team. They're small but quick and they can shoot the ball."

Harmon acknowledges that nobody expected his team to be here.

"As the No. 6 seed, nobody expected us to come out," he said. "We're excited to be here. We just had a really good week but I thought we had potential all season. We just didn't play well together most of the year."

A big key for the Wildcats in their district was the play of 5-foot-6 sophomore guard Brandon Burton, who was just recently moved up from the junior varsity team.

Burton poured in 36 points Friday night as the Wildcats knocked off Holcomb 89-85 in overtime to win the district.

"He's made all the difference for us," Harmon said.

Cooter's leading scorer is 5-10 senior guard Blake Robinson, who had 28 points against Holcomb and averages around 20 for the season.

James Lynn, a 6-2 senior, averages about 15 points per game.

What little size the Wildcats have is provided by 6-5 senior center David Winstead, who is primarily a rebounder and shot-blocker.

Oran is a deep, experienced and balanced team that features plenty of size for the 1A level.

Billy Loper, a 6-5 senior, is averaging close to 17 points per game. Travis Friga, a 6-4 junior, and 5-10 senior Daniel Wheeler each score nearly 14 points per contest.

During Thursday's thrilling 87-82 overtime win over Scott County Central for the district title, 6-5 senior Ricky Eftink led the way with 22 points. He was followed by Loper with 21, Friga with 17 and Wheeler with 14.

"Our inside game will definitely be a big key," said Wood. "We've got a size advantage over them and hopefully we can take advantage of it."

Harmon believes it will take a big-time effort for his team to hang with the favored Eagles.

"I know they have a very good team," he said. "I know we'll have to play exceptionally well to play with them."

But Wood realizes his squad can't afford to take anybody lightly in the playoffs.

"In a one-game deal, you never know what can happen," he said. "We can't take them lightly. We have to play well."

Tonight's girls game will also feature something of a David vs. Goliath matchup because Scott Central has dominated the regional over the years and figures to be heavily favored again tonight.

The Bravettes are 14-9 while the Lady Eagles are 10-13.

"Scott County Central is always a really tough team and we know we're going to have to play very well to stay with them," said Naylor coach Wayne Copeland, whose squad suits up just six players.

Naylor does have a big scorer in 5-9 Crystal McGhee, who averages 22 points and 13 rebounds per game.

The Bravettes are more balanced. In Thursday's district-title win over Risco, Katie Griffin scored 24 points, Brandy Miller had 18 and Ashley Whitson 17.