BOBCATS PLACE TWO ON ALL-STATE TEAM

Delta High's dynamic duo of Garrett DeBrock and Shawn Kinder carried the Delta basketball team to its first district title since 1976 and a first-ever berth in the Class 1A Quarterfinals.

Fittingly, the two seniors were named among the state's best as members of the 1997-98 All-State Basketball Team selected by Missouri sportswriters and sportscasters. Class 1A and 2A teams were released today with the 3A and 4A teams to be announced tomorrow.

DeBrock and Kinder, who helped Delta (22-8) to the No. 5 spot in the final 1A poll, were joined on the 1A squad by another Mississippi Valley Conference player. Marquand junior Dusty Stephens joined Kinder on the second team while DeBrock earned first-team status.

Scott City junior Jon Beck was the only other player in the immediate area named all-state. Beck was selected to the 2A first team as the Rams finished seventh in the final 2A rankings for the third consecutive year with a 27-3 mark.

DeBrock and Kinder were the driving forces behind Delta's success all season long. The 6-foot-2 DeBrock, a three-year starter who was closing in on the school's career scoring record, averaged 22 points and eight rebounds a game to lead the Bobcats.

"Garrett had a good career and another good season," said Delta coach Nate Crowden. "He's just a terrific shooter, but he was also a good rebounder and defensive player."

Kinder, a two-year starter, was nearly equal to his classmate DeBrock. The 5-10 Kinder averaged 19 points and nearly eight assists a game as the Bobcats' primary ball-handler.

"Shawn was like a coach on the floor," said Crowden. "He ran the team all year and was a super defensive player. Like Garrett, in special situations Shawn could step up and shoot the ball or put it where it needed to be."

Stephens put up outstanding numbers in claiming his all-state selection. The 6-3 power forward averaged 22.2 points and 16.3 rebounds a game in leading Marquand (19-10) to its first-ever district title game appearance.

According to Marquand coach Rob Harlow, Stephens' rebounding average is believed to be the best in the state this season.

"Dusty had a great season and did everything it took to help us have a successful season," Harlow said. "He jumps so well and has a nice shooting touch. We normally used him as a post player, but he has the ability to step out and shoot from 17 to 18 feet."

Beck exploded onto the national hoops scene early in the season with a state-record 16 3-pointers and 59 points in a 126-46 win over Egyptian High out of Tamms, Ill.

Beck kept bombing the rest of the season, making a team-record 89 of 199 3-pointers (44.7 percent) and averaging 22.1 points a game. He led the team with 72 steals, making 54 percent of his shots from the field and 86 percent of his free throws.

"Jon's the total package," McCord said. "He can shoot, play defense, he works hard and has a great attitude. For him to make the first team as a junior is a real honor."

Beck's selection to the first team, continued a three-year streak of Scott City basketball players on the all-state team. Dustin Cauble graduated last year after back-to-back first team selections in his junior and senior seasons.

"This is the third year straight we had a guy on the first team," said Scott City coach Derek McCord. "That says something about the program we've got here at Scott City."

Coincidentally, the Rams also finished seventh in the final 2A state rankings for the third year in a row.

* Portageville, which ended Scott City's season in a 2A Sectional at Cape Central, made it to the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown before losing twice in Columbia for fourth place.

Portageville senior Gerald Pickering, coming off a second team all-state football season, was also named to the second team state basketball squad.

* Senath-Hornersville senior Randi Moore was the only area girl selected all-state in Class 1A or 2A. Moore, a 6-foot senior who averaged 29 points and 11 rebounds a game for the 18-6 Lady Lions, earned first team 2A honors.

Surprisingly, Moore is headed to college on a golf scholarship.

* Other players from the region selected to the 1A team were: Valle of Ste. Genevieve's Bryan Meyer (first team) and Winona's Adam Ipock (second team).

* Valle, which lost to Delta in a 1A Sectional, finished the season ranked ninth in the final poll with a 25-6 record. East Carter County's girls, which eliminated Notre Dame in a 2A Sectional, ended the year ranked ninth with a 25-3 mark.