Bell City hopes to avoid big upset in 1A regional

That Bell City will represent District 2 in tonight's 1A boys regional game at Sikeston High School is no surprise.

But its opponent, Delta C-7 of District 1, is proof of what can happen this time of year.

The teams will meet at 8:15 p.m. with the winner going to Wednesday's sectional round at Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Delta C-7 (14-10) entered its district as the No. 4 seed, but kept its season alive with surprising wins over top-seeded Gideon and second-seeded North Pemiscot.

North Pemiscot (18-10) owned two double-figure victories over Delta C-7 during the regular season, but the Chargers neglected that fact and pulled off a 66-52 upset in the title game.

Delta C-7 coach Kenny Copley expects his team to again be the underdog tonight.

"I figure it's going to take a very good game on our part," Copley said. "But nobody gave us much of a shot to win district."

Bell City (24-5), the top seed in District 2, will make its first regional appearance since 1981 after a dominating 73-49 victory over No. 2 Oran.

"Every game can be our last game and there's no tomorrow," Bell City coach David Heeb said. "I've been telling them that since the start of district. We set a goal all year to get to Columbia and we're three games away. We've got to take it one at a time and win this one (tonight)."

Heeb said he expected to be playing Gideon or North Pemiscot, but is wary of Delta C-7.

"The team that's hot scares you," he said. "They're playing some real good ball."

Bell City has been hot for some time, compiling a 16-2 record since a quarterfinal loss in the University High Christmas Tournament. Both losses were to 3A Dexter.

Led by all-state junior Eric Henry, the Cubs enter with a trio of players scoring over 15 points a game and a deep bench.

"We're a little bit bigger than they are and a little deeper, but they can shoot the ball with us," Heeb said.

Copley said his team has shot the ball well, estimating his team shot around 50 percent in district play.

The Cubs will try to shut down the hot-shooting pair of junior Derrick Dye (19 ppg) and senior Josh Driskill (12 ppg), both whom can score from inside or outside.

Against North Pemiscot, Driskill scored all 18 of his points in the second quarter.

"We've got to key on those two and keep the others off the boards," Heeb said.

C.J. Hadley, who plays taller than his 6-4 size, averages over 12 rebounds a game. Delta C-7's height among its starting five tops out with 6-2 junior Brandon Joyner, who stepped up with a team-high 19 points -- 10 over his average -- against North Pemiscot.

"They're probably going to get a little tired," Heeb said. "Hopefully we'll wear on them. We've got some good leapers. Hopefully we'll get them in the second half."Delta vs. Couch

A regional matchup could get to be an annual event for Delta (20-6) and Couch (18-6).

Couch ended Delta's season last year, 70-61. Neither team has a senior in its starting lineup, which holds promise for future encounters. Couch graduated all-state forward Crystal Bennett, but returns the rest of last year's team that finished 19-8.

"I think we're kind of like Delta," Couch coach Kristi Chester said. "We like to run the floor and get the ball inside to the big girl."

Both teams feature a junior center at least 6-foot tall. Rebecca Below (6-0) averages a team-high 18 points for Delta while Amie Smiecala (6-1) averages 16 for Couch. Sophomore April Redus leads Couch with 19 points per game. She can shoot the 3-pointer along with several teammates.

"We're going to need balanced scoring from three or four -- not one or two," said Chester, whose team has won seven of its last eight games.

Delta used a sister act to get past Oran in the District 2 title game as junior Rebecca Cook and freshman Sarah Cook each scored 17 points in a 50-41 victory. They also combined for six of Delta's eight 3-pointers.

"I think the key to the game is executing in the halfcourt," Delta coach Randall White said. "This time of the year most people can handle the press. You have to execute once you get it down the court."

jbreer@semissourian.com

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