BECK NLOADS 44 BULLETS AS RAMS WIN OT SHOOTOUT

SCOTT CITY -- Scott City High senior guard Jon Beck sensed early Tuesday while at school that he would be participating in a special basketball game that night.

"We've got a big rivalry with Kelly and I knew the crowd would really be into it," he said. "I was really looking forward to this game."

Beck was right -- a special basketball game did take place Tuesday night. And he was one of the main reasons for it.

The 6-footer, who earned Class 2A all-state honors last year and earlier this season signed to play at Arkansas State, put on a dazzling show that solidified his status as arguably the premier player in Southeast Missouri and one of the best in the state.

Beck poured in 44 points -- and the Rams needed every one of the them as they held off the Hawks 77-74 in overtime before a frenzied crowd that filled up Scott City's gymnasium.

"It was really exciting," said a smiling Beck as he greeted well-wishers following the game. "The atmosphere was awesome. The crowd really got into it for both teams."

The performance was vintage Beck, who scored about every way imaginable. He drained eight 3-pointers, several of them from NBA range. He nailed pullup jumpers from inside the arc. He broke down multiple defenders off the dribble and drove for baskets.

"I've been feeling real good with my shot the last two weeks," said Beck, who recently added another honor to his vast collection as he was nominated for the prestigious McDonald's All-American Team. "But I really don't care about scoring. I just want to help us win."

He's been doing plenty of that as the Rams improved to 19-2 and wrapped up the Scott-Mississippi County Conference championship, marking the fourth straight time they have either won or shared the title. Scott City has won 10 straight games.

But Kelly, which fell to 13-7 and had a five-game winning streak snapped, put on quite a show of its own, led by the dynamic one-two punch of Jim Hulshof and Jason Glastetter.

Hulshof, a 6-3 senior who missed much of the early season with an injury, scored 31 points, on long jumpers and inside moves. Glastetter, a powerful 6-2 senior, scored 27 points, most of them from around the basket.

"What a classic game," said Scott City coach Derek McCord. "Jon put on one of the best performances I've been associated with in a high school game. And Hulshof was also tremendous.

"It just so happened we got the shots to fall in overtime, but it's a shame somebody had to lose."

Lance Amick added 15 points for the Rams and he hit some huge free throws late in the fourth quarter and in overtime. Ronald Watson contributed 10 points.

Russ Mothershead added 10 points for Kelly.

"What a great game," said Kelly coach Kent Mangels. "I can't say enough about the show Jon and Jimmy and Jason put on. Jon is just a great player but I'm real proud of my kids."

The game was neck-and-neck virtually the whole way. Scott City's biggest lead was seven points, that coming in the first quarter. Kelly's biggest advantage was six points midway in the third quarter.

Amick hit both ends of a one-and-one with 28 seconds left in regulation to put the Rams ahead 66-64, but Hulshof hit two free throws on a shooting foul with 15 seconds left to make it 66-66. It was on to overtime.

Beck scored eight of the Rams' 11 overtime points, including a long 3-pointer 52 seconds into the four-minute extra period that put Scott City ahead for good at 69-66.

Scott City went ahead 72-67 with 1:29 left as Beck dribbled through three defenders and hit a high-arching 12-footer in the lane.

But Kelly pulled to within 73-72 and 75-74 on two Hulshof follow shots sandwiched around two clutch free throws by Amick.

Beck made two foul shots with 12 seconds left to make it 77-74 and Hulshof's long 3-point try was off the mark just before the buzzer sounded.

"This had district championship intensity all over it," said Mangels. "What a game."