Champions

The past two weekends have been big for Southeast Missouri, with two area basketball programs winning state championships at Mizzou Arena.

The Scott County Central boys basketball team won its third consecutive Class 1 championship Saturday with a 69-54 win over Dadeville. The title also marked the school's 15th championship in school history.

Senior Otto Porter led the team with 27 points and nine rebounds, a remarkable feat considering the defensive pressure Dadeville imposed on the 6-foot-9 standout. Porter, who ESPN.com ranks as one of the top 50 high school players in the nation, also broke the all-time scoring record for games played at the final four when he scored 34 points in Thursday's semifinal game.

But Saturday's championship was more than an exhibition of Porter's talents. It was a team effort. In addition to Porter's strong performance, five other Scott County Central players combined for 42 points, including Dominique Porter's 18 and Stewart Johnson's 11.

The Sikeston boys basketball team also finished their season in style with a 74-55 victory over St. Francis Borgia in the Class 4 state championship game the previous weekend. The Bulldogs not only won their first basketball championship in school history, but they did so going 30-0 -- a feat that will earn the team an induction into the Missouri Hall of Fame.

Sikeston's performance was also a team effort. Seven players contributed to the point total, with Corey Porter's 24 points leading the way.

While athletics should certainly not be the center of a high school student's life, they do provide an opportunity to learn some important life lessons. The dedication, teamwork, communication and selflessness that the Scott County Central and Sikeston basketball players showed this season should serve each well in life, regardless of what they choose to do beyond high school.

Congratulation to both teams' players and coaches on their phenomenal seasons.