Banks cash in at OIT, SCC edges Advance in overtime thriller

ORAN, MO. — Cortavian Banks and Namarius Banks-Warren were the scoring equivalents of inflation, as they constantly made the scoreboard numbers rise in Scott County Central’s overtime win over Advance in the consolation bracket of the 68th Annual Oran Invitational Tournament.

Like a pair of financial analysts, the profit-seeking scorers, who each contributed a team-high 20 points, dissected the Hornets’ (0-2) defense, leading the Braves (1-1) to a 72-66 victory on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

“We played good team ball,” Banks said. “We crashed the boards and shared the ball. It’s our first win and we have many more to go. We just have to keep pushing ourselves in practice, stay humble and continue being leaders for our team.”

SCC's Namarius Banks-Warrens (11) dribbles during a 72-66 overtime win over Advance in the 68th Annual Oran Invitational on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Advance, the defending OIT Champions, landed the first blow, establishing an early 8-4 lead.

Zavior Mize hit a 3-pointer off an assist from Asher Britt, and Britt scored inside on the team's next possession to give SCC its first lead of the game, 9-8.

But the Hornets came right back and regained the lead after Caleb Henson followed his miss and got the offensive rebound and scored.

SCC's Asher Britt (44) works in the paint during a 72-66 overtime win over Advance in the 68th Annual Oran Invitational on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Unfazed, the Braves retaliated with a vengeance, embarking on a relentless 10-3 run that catapulted them to a commanding 19-13 advantage by the end of the quarter.

“Our anticipation in the passing game on offense and defense was key to the win,” Banks-Warren said.

The second quarter proved to be a back-and-forth affair, with the teams exchanging the lead four times. Remington Pixley drained a 3-pointer to hand it back to the Hornets, but Britt responded with a layup inside.

SCC's TY Murray (4) defends Advance's Andrew Henson (25) during a 72-66 overtime win in the 68th Annual Oran Invitational on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Advance reclaimed the lead once more when Braylen Carlton finished a nice take, but Britt answered again with another basket inside.

With about two minutes left until halftime, the game tied at 25-25, Mize stepped up once again, burying another three-pointer.

Banks-Warren then scored twice in the post, giving the Braves a 32-28 advantage heading into the break.

SCC's Zavior Mize (1) knocks down a free throw in overtime during a 72-66 overtime win over Advance in the 68th Annual Oran Invitational on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“We brought the energy and effort tonight, and you could see it in the little things,” said SCC coach Tim Carlisle. “We boxed out harder, rebounded with determination, made the extra pass, and played true team basketball. That's the kind of effort that leads to wins."

SCC extended their lead in the third quarter with Courtney Sanders III chipping in a couple of key baskets, easing the scoring burden. Heading into the final quarter, the Braves held a comfortable 43-36 lead.

The Braves widened the lead to double digits with less than five minutes remaining when Banks-Warren put back an offensive rebound to make it 53-43.

SCC's Courtney Sanders III (10) defends Advance's Brison Winchester (11) during a 72-66 overtime win in the 68th Annual Oran Invitational on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

However, Advance made a furious comeback in the final minutes, refusing to go down without a fight and embarking on a stunning 10-2 run in the final two minutes, including a corner 3-pointer from Andrew Henson with 1.2 left on the clock.

With the odds stacked against them, SCC refused to bow down. Hunter Rodger knocked down another 3-pointer for Advance to open the overtime period, yet the Braves refused to crumble.

Despite the momentum swing, Banks-Warren answered with a quick score and then tied the game 64-64 after converting a 3-point play. Freshman Ty Murray stepped up with a big steal and score to increase the lead to 66-64 and then knocked down two clutch free throws to make it 70-64.

Banks-Warren and Ty Murray each contributed six points in the overtime period, while Banks solidified the defense with a pair of crucial blocks.

Advance managed to narrow the lead to 70-66 on a put-back by Carlton, but SCC sealed the victory with free throws by Mize and Banks-Warren.

"When the game was on the line, Banks and Banks-Warren stepped up like the leaders they are,” Carlisle said. “They played with poise and determination, making smart decisions and executing plays down the stretch. Their leadership was infectious, and it inspired the entire team to play at their best.

“We made things a little harder on ourselves by not finishing the fourth quarter the way it needed to be finished,” he continued. “We took a couple of minutes off when we shouldn’t have. But facing that adversity helped all of these players grow up a little bit tonight.”

While Banks and Banks-Warren led the charge, it was the team's collective effort and newfound maturity that secured the Braves' victory.

"I'm incredibly proud of the boys,” Carlisle concluded. “They showed composure, which is important for a young team. Britt battled foul trouble but he played a solid game inside. We also had some young players step up, including freshmen Ty Murray and Brandon Bean, and sophomore Cameron Bean. Their contributions were important to our victory. However, we still made some mistakes that could have cost us the game. We need to clean those up as we move forward."

SCC will face the winner of eighth-seeded Westwood Baptist (0-1) and fifth-seeded Bell City (0-1) in the fifth-place game on Friday, Dec. 1 at 5 p.m.

__SCC 72, ADVANCE 66, OT__

SCC 19 13 11 16 13 — 72

Advance 13 15 8 23 7 — 66

SCC (72) — Namarius Banks-Warren 20, Cortavian Banks 20, Zavior Mize 8, Ty Murray 8, Asher Britt 8, Courtney Sanders III 4, Cameron Bean 2, Zachariah Wiggins 2. FG: 30. FT: 9-17. F: 12. (3-pointers: Mize 2, Banks 1. Fouled out: Britt).

Advance (66) — Braylen Carlton 22, Ayden Fleming 21, Hunter Rodgers 15, Remington Pixley 3, Andrew Henson 3, Brison Winchester 2. FG: 25. FT: 7-14. F: 12. (3-pointers: Fleming 3, Rodgers 3, Pixley 1, Calrton 1, Henson 1. Fouled out: Winchester, Henson).