Bell City defeats SCC when it counts most

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Scott County Central boys basketball team defeated defending Class 1 state champion Bell City three times during the regular season.

Bell City coach David Heeb knew those three games would not mean much if his Cubs could defeat the Braves on Tuesday night in the sectional round of the state playoffs at Sikeston High School.

With the help of a spirited second-half performance, the Cubs made their one win over Scott County count, defeating the Braves 67-58 on Tuesday.

"For one night, anybody can beat anybody," Bell City coach David Heeb said.

The win propelled Bell City (21-8) into Saturday's quarterfinal at the West Plains Civic Center. The Cubs will face Eminence (17-13) at 2:45 p.m.

"We feel whoever's going to win it has to come through us, and we're a tough out," said Heeb, who has led Bell City to two state titles in three years.

Scott County led for much of the game, but a last-second layup by Kerry Lasters gave the Cubs a 40-38 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Bell City's defense took over from there, with a pressure defense that flustered the Braves.

After the first four minutes of the final quarter, the Cubs had extended their lead to 50-42, and minutes later they were up 56-45 and poised to move on.

"We didn't know if we would press them or not," Heeb said. "The last time we tried it a bit."

Scott County hit five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, but started focusing on the 3 with nearly 2 minutes remaining. Bell City built a 15-point lead in the final minute before Scott County hit a couple of meaningless 3-pointers.

"We started shooting the 3s too early," Scott County coach Melvin Porter said.

Unlike the last meeting between the two squads, Bell City had the advantage on the free-throw line Tuesday. The Cubs shot 30 free throws, including 17 in the fourth quarter, to Scott County's 11. Scott County had 15 fouls in the second half, and had three of its top players foul out.

"The kids didn't adjust," Porter said. "The officials were letting them play and the kids didn't adjust to the physical play."

A turning point for Porter came when post player Andrew Pullen fouled out early in the fourth quarter.

Bell City was able to get several key rebounds down the stretch without Pullen in the lineup.

"The Pullen kid was playing well, when I made the sub I thought the [Chris] Monroe kid would rebound, but he didn't," Porter said.

For Bell City, Jeff Liggins scored nine of his 11 points in the second half, and Lasters scored all 13 of his points after the half.

Liggins was limited to just a few minutes on the court in the opening half due to early foul trouble but Bell City trailed only 27-20 at halftime.

"I thought that was the difference in the game," Heeb said. "Our bench kept us close in the first half and D.D. [Gillespie] and Jeff got to play in the second half."

Gillespie led the Cubs with 14 points.

For Scott County, Isaac Porter scored a game-high 18 points, but he only had four points in the second half.

Scott County led by as many as nine points late in the first half thanks to a 10-2 run to close the second quarter.

Despite their lengthy lead, Melvin Porter said his team played like they were down.

"His kids have been there before, they've been to state," Porter said of Bell City. "You could tell, they never quit. Our kids played like we were down 10 or 20. I couldn't understand it."

BELL CITY 67, SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL 58

Bell City 6 14 20 27 -- 67

Scott County 11 16 11 20 -- 58

BELL CITY (67) -- D.D. Gillespie 14, Jeff Liggins 11, Kerry Lasters 13, Blaine Stewart 7, Nick Niemczyk 5, Marty Dames 5, A.J. Henry 2, Austin Segers 2, Garrett McIntyre 6. FG: 24, FT: 17-30; Fouls: 18. (3-pointers: Niemczyk 1, Lasters 1. Fouled out: none)

SCOTT COUNTY (58) -- Isaac Porter 18, Jeremy Johnson 7, Avis White 6, Josh Boley 9, Andrew Pullen 6, Josh Porter 6, Ray Rodgers 4, Pershard Owens 2. FG: 23; FT: 4-11; Fouls: 21 (3-pointers: Boley 3, Johnson 2, Porter 2; J. Porter 1, Fouled out: Pullen, Johnson, White)