32 MINUTES FROM COLUMBIA: SCOTT CITY GETS READY TO RUN, MAKE HISTORY VS. WHITFIELD (2A BOYS)

If you don't like elevators, you may not want to attend Scott City's state quarterfinal game against Whitfield tonight.

Because this game is going to be up and down.

Tipoff for the game is slated for 8:15.

"We try to fast break as much as possible," said Rich Fanning who is in his third year as coach at Whitfield (27-3) . "If it was up to me, it would be every possession and I guess it is up to me."

Fanning admitted that he "stole" his team's offense from the Loyola Marymount teams of the early 1990s.

"We've implemented the system a bit more each year since I've been here," Fanning said. "With the seniors we've got, we thought we could do it 100 percent this year. And the system has been a success."

Said Scott City coach Derek McCord, "They're very similar to Dexter, but I think they're quicker. They've put up good numbers, but I don't know about the teams they play."

Whitfield has rolled through its schedule this season, its only losses coming to Clayton (twice) and Borgia.

The Warriors average 80.7 points per game, but give up 57.5 points. They reached the 100-point barrier four times, including their 103-73 victory over Berkeley in their district title game. In its sectional game, Whitfield beat Hancock 61-39.

"What's amazing is how quick they can have a 10-0 or 12-0 run," McCord said. "They're not tentative to put up a shot. They really keep pushing the ball for 32 minutes."

McCord didn't seem bothered by watching Whitfield's frantic pace.

"We'll get after them and really guard them," said McCord. "We have to have wise shot selection. And you have to get back on defense and you have to rebound. If we do those two things, we can hang with them."

Scott City, in its own right, is a good transition basketball team. The Rams generally make wise decisions in the open court.

"We're going to have to play really hard and really intense because that's what they do," said Fanning. "And they seem like a sound team fundamentally."

Scott City is coming off an incredible 78-76 win over Portageville Wednesday night in sectionals.

The Rams scored six unanswered points in the final 16 seconds and scored the winning basket as time expired.

"That's one thing that might help us," Fanning said. "They spent so much emotion and adrenaline. But it might help them, you never know."

A win for Scott City would give the school its most wins in a season at 28. But more importantly, it could make its first-ever final four appearance.

"I hope our kids realize what an opportunity this is," McCord said. "There's 32 minutes between us and Columbia. I hope we come out ready to play."

Whitfield has four players averaging double figures and another getting 9.8 per contest.

Jason Ford and Jon Norris (6-foot-1) each get 17 points per game. Ford, a 6-1 guard has drawn serious interest from Yale University as well as a team from the Big South Conference.

Whitfield possesses good height.

The Warriors start 6-5 center Dan Oppland who gets 12 points per game and 6-4 forward Mike Oppland who scores 9.8 per contest.

Mark Johnson, a 6-foot-7 post player, and Matt Ryan (6-5) come off the bench.

Whitfield frequently subs a new set of five players.

"We basically play our whole roster every quarter," said Fanning. "That way you can go hard and get a lot of rest. To play at this pace, you can't do it with just six or seven guys. Every kid knows he's going to get a lot of minutes."

No non-starter, though, is averaging more than 4.2 points per game for Whitfield.