Braves, Bravettes reach sectionals

Scott County Central unleashed its relentless pressure on Oran, and the Braves complemented that with dominance on the boards.

But Scott County Central added one other element in Thursday night's Class 1 District 1 championship game at Oran: Toby Heeb.

The 5-foot-8 junior guard hit four 3-pointers, a couple at key moments, as the Braves hammered Oran 92-68.

The victory sends Scott County Central (24-4) into the sectional round, set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Poplar Bluff High School.

The Scott County Central girls also advanced to the sectional round, beating Oran 60-50 after leading by as much as 21 points in the third period. Opponents for both teams will be determined tonight in Poplar Bluff.

Scott County Central's Amanda Lawless, left, looked to shoot as Oran's Erica Michelsen defended her in the Class 1 District 1 championship game Thursday night at Oran High School. (Fred Lynch)

In the boys district title game, Scott County Central pulled away with a 28-16 advantage in the second period and put the game away with a 23-11 edge in the third period.

Drew Thomas scored 23 points, D.D. Gillespie added 19 and Caleb Johnson had 17 to lead the Braves, who won their 14th straight game.

Heeb came off the bench for 14, knocking in long 3-point shots that made sure the Braves never lost their momentum.

He opened the second period with a trey that boosted the Braves lead to 23-19. That sparked a 10-2 run, and the Braves got their lead to 14 before Oran scored on back-to-back possessions. And Heeb promptly drilled another 3, as the Braves led by double figures for the rest of the night.

"Our game plan was to worry about the big three -- Gillespie, Johnson and Thomas," said first-year Oran coach Denver Stuckey. "We wanted the guys guarding the other two to help out when they could. But when he's hitting them from 30 feet away, you just have to tip your cap. There's nothing you can do."

The Braves beat Oran for the fourth time this season, and Stuckey thought this may have been the most impressive showing.

"Each time, they have been a little better," he said. "Their quickness wears on you and wears on you. They pressure you and they rebound. Their kids attack the glass like no other."

The big three scored plenty of points on putbacks and open-court steals. Bobby Hatchett, who scored eight points, helped harass the Eagles on the press.

Oran fell behind by as much as 18 points in the third before closing back to 56-44, which is when Heeb hit another trey. And that was all for Oran (16-12).

Robert Lange scored 15 points, Cody Romas added 11 and Chris Asmus had 10.

Likely on the slate Tuesday is meeting No. 4 with Bell City. Scott County won the first two outings, but Bell City won at the Southeast Missourian Christmas tournament near the start of their 19-game winning streak.

Girls championship

The Bravettes (19-7) also may have a familiar foe waiting for them Tuesday, when they could get a fourth crack at No. 1-ranked and unbeaten Delta.

Scott County Central's girls pulled away at the end of the second period and early in the third with a 15-2 run to take 37-16 lead on Oran.

Brittney Peet led the Braves with 20 points, while Brianna Johnson scored 10.

"The more pressure you put on Brittney Peet, the more she's going to score," Bravettes coach Semona Penrod said. "You can guard her outside and she's going to see how quickly she can get to the basket, and it's pretty quick."

Oran (16-11) rallied back within 12 on its 3-point shooting before Peet's six points were part of 9-4 run that boosted the Bravettes back into a comfortable position.

Tiffany Glastetter had 12 points, Jodi Urhahn and Eric Michelsen each had 11, and Wendy Eftink had 10 for the Eagles, who hit eight 3s.

GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP

Oran 5 9 10 25 -- 50

Scott County 9 17 14 18 -- 60

ORAN (50) -- Wendy Eftink 10, Callie Kielhofner 6, Erica Michelsen 11, Jodi Urhahn 11, Tiffany Glastetter 12. FG 18, FT 6-11, F 19 (3-pointers: Eftink 3, Urhahn 3, Kielhofner 2. Fouled out: Eftink).

SCOTT COUNTY (60) -- Brittney Peet 20, Brianna Johnson 10, Samantha Jones 9, Amanda Lawless 3, Jamisha Williams 8, Kisha Ross 2, Markita Mosley 8. FG 23, FT 12-21, F 16 (3-pointers: Johnson 1, Jones 1. Fouled out: none).

BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP

Oran 19 16 11 22 -- 68

Scott County 20 28 23 21 -- 92

ORAN (68) -- Jarron Banks 3, D.D. Gillespie 19, Toby Heeb 14, Mark Freed 7, Bobby Hatchett 8, Drew Thomas 23, Caleb Johnson 17, Avery Williams 1. FG 35, FT 14-22, F 19 (3-pointers: Heeb 4, Gillespie 2, Freed 1, Thomas 1. Fouled out: none).

SCOTT COUNTY (92) -- Steven Mock 5, Kody Campbell 7, Nick Anderson 2, Robert Lange 15, Chase Seyer 9, Hunter Glastetter 4, Cody Romas 11, Kurt Rendleman 5, Chris Asmus 10. FG 21, FT 20-29, F 18 (3-pointers; Asmus 2, Rendleman 1, Romas 1, Mock 1, Campbell 1. Fouled out: none).