SportsFebruary 5, 2024
2024 Scott-Mississippi: Kelly stages epic second-half comeback over Scott City in championship game
ORAN, Mo. — “Don't worry, coach, we got this." It wasn’t just words of reassurance or mere optimism, but a statement of collective conviction by Michael Dollins as he exited the locker room facing a 12-point deficit during Kelly's eventual win over Scott City in the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament Championship at Oran High School on Friday, Feb. 2...
By Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat
ORAN, Mo. — “Don't worry, coach, we got this."
It wasn’t just words of reassurance or mere optimism, but a statement of collective conviction by Michael Dollins as he exited the locker room facing a 12-point deficit during Kelly's eventual comeback win over Scott City in the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament Championship at Oran High School on Friday, Feb. 2.
The calm confidence wasn't just bravado either; it was rooted in history. This season, the top-seeded Hawks (17-4) have mastered the art of third-quarter dominance, eight or nine times they'd opened the second half with unanswered scoring runs between 15 and 20 points.
Kelly coach Noel Trimmer later explained, “I asked the team at halftime, ‘What is different about this game tonight? We come out, shut them down, go on our run and the game is ours.’ What happened? We came out, we shut them down. We went on a run and took the lead, and that was the game. They never recovered.”
The team’s answer was emphatic. A strategic switch to a 2-3 zone defense fueled a game-changing 13-0 run, taking their first lead at 38-37. This defensive adjustment neutralized Scott City's 3-point threat, forcing them toward the basket where 6-foot-8 Dalton Forck, a force throughout the game, awaited.
“That changed everything for us,” Trimmer said. “I realized early that it was our quarter and was just thinking, let’s keep this going.”
Forck wasn't just a defensive presence; he was an offensive powerhouse, finishing with a team-leading 18 points and 19 rebounds. His impact was undeniable, especially in the first half when teammates struggled and the third-seeded Rams (16-4) came out strong.
“Forck has been great every night,” Trimmer said. “It’s key when you have a guy that size, who plays with so much poise and doesn’t get in foul trouble. He’s learned how to play now with good defensive positioning, hands up and blocking shots that are out in front of him instead of swatting down. He’s learned to become a true basket defender.”
Forck had four blocked shots in the game, and in the second half alone, altered at least nine or 10 more within the paint, making even the most daring attempts a daunting task.
“There were times when Scott City players would begin to penetrate but they would see Forck in the paint and they would just stop, turn around and kick it back out to the perimeter,” Trimmer said. “It was exactly what we wanted. It’s something that doesn’t go notice on the scoreboard. But I see him changing shots, forcing their good shooter in fadeaways and even forcing some of them to just stop shooting.”
While Kelly had defeated Scott City twice, everyone knows the challenge of a third straight win in the same season.
The Rams fought hard, showcasing their own top plays and moments of great effort. This included a strong opening quarter from Mark Panagos, where he scored eight points, and Kaden Lowery, Kobe Watson, Nathan Ham and Brenden Beussink all knocking down outside shots.
Scott City effectively shut down Kelly's guards, Michael Dollins and Ross Peters, in the first half. But the tide turned in the second half.
Dollins, known for his playmaking abilities, finished with 12 points and 11 assists. He orchestrated the offense beautifully, converting clutch buckets and delivering pinpoint passes during the Hawks’ second-half push.
“If you give him a target, he’s going to hit it,” Trimmer said. “I tell his teammates all the time that they can’t take from eyes off of him. Sometimes he sees the opening and our kids aren’t ready. If you’re open, he’s going to put it in your hands. He had outstanding passes in the second half and I have come to expect that out of him.”
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Peters, too, showed his second-half resurgence, contributing significantly despite the limited first-half opportunities.
“The most important thing for us was that [Peters] regained his composure,” Trimmer said. “People don’t understand how mad that kid gets at himself. He was upset he gave up a couple of shots in the first half while in that man-to-man defense, but he loves that matchup zone and getting out in a guard’s back pocket. He forced some really quick turnovers to start the second half, picking some passes off the wing and took it down to the other end and finished.”
In addition to the scoring outburst, Kelly held Scott City scoreless for over seven minutes to start the second half.
Despite Lowery's free throws briefly giving the Rams back the lead late in the third quarter, the Hawks responded with post scores from Forck to enter the fourth quarter with a 42-39 advantage.
Watson opened the final frame with a 3-pointer to tie the game, but Kelly countered with a 7-0 run featuring more strong inside play from Forck, Peter’s 3-pointer and a quick flick of the wrist floater by Dollins.
Scott City battled back with their own 7-0 run, including a 3-pointer from Ham and tough makes by Beussink and Panagos, to level the score again.
However, the Hawks refused to relinquish control, embarking on a decisive 9-0 run to lead 58-49 with about a minute remaining.
This surge included clutch finishes from Peters, free throws from Reece Eftink, and a dagger 3-pointer from Hayden Propst assisted by Dollins, effectively sealing the victory.
“I felt like when he hit that shot it was the game,” Trimmer said. “He hit some 3-pointers in crucial situations for us. He did a tremendous job.”
Propst finished with nine points on three made 3-pointers. His role with the team has increased as the season progressed. He came off the bench to score 13 points in just four minutes of action in the team’s semifinal victory earlier in the week.
“He’s been playing great,” Trimmer added. “I’m proud of all the kids.”
The Hawks were able to calmly sink free throws each time they were sent to the charity stripe in the final minutes to clinch the 64-56 victory.
“Our leaders stepped up and did what they were supposed to do in crunch time,” Trimmer said. “It was a great game and a great win for us. The kids played extremely hard and showed a great deal of resiliency. I have great respect for [Scott City]. They had a great game plan. Coach [Mark] Dannemueler had his kids fired up and they flat-out took it to us in the first half. I’m just really proud of my guys for not letting that first half get in their heads.
Kelly hosts Portageville (14-7) for homecoming, while Scott City travels to Malden (17-3) on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
__KELLY 64, SCOTT CITY 56__
Scott City 23 14 2 17 — 56
Kelly 14 11 17 22 — 64
Scott City (56) — Kaden Lowery 17, Mark Panagos 10, Kobe Watson 9, Nathan Ham 9, Brenden Beussink 5, Jayden Rulo 4, Jackson Gloth 2. FG: 21. FT: 7-10. F: 21. (3-pointers: Watson 3, Lowery 2, Beussink 1, Ham 1. Fouled out: None.)
Kelly (64) — Dalton Forck 18, Ross Peters 16, Michael Dollins 12, Hayden Propst 9, Reece Eftink 9. FG: 24. FT: 11-23. F: 12. (3-pointers: Propst 3, Peters 2. Fouled out: None.)
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