Braves-Cubs IV: Final conflict

It was one of the most anticipated matchups in Southeast Missouri heading into the season.

Now heading into the fourth meeting this season, Bell City and Scott County's Class 1 sectional 6 p.m. game today at Poplar Bluff High School should still draw plenty of interest.

The Braves (24-4) won the first two meetings, and Bell City (25-4) came out victorious in the third meeting en route to the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament title. Both teams enter the game with long winning streaks -- Bell City's stands at 21 games, while Scott County's is at 14 games. The Cubs' last loss came Dec. 16 against Scott County, while the Braves' haven't tasted defeat since Jan. 12 against state-ranked Charleston.

"They're playing darn good basketball, and I think we're getting better every day," Bell City coach Brian Brandtner said.

Last year, tensions rode high between the schools as Scott County Central coach David Heeb was handed down a second-semester Missouri State High School Activities Association suspension for this season -- which includes the playoffs -- after a complaint was filed by his former school, Bell City, regarding undue influence of players. Heeb had led Bell City to two state championship before leaving for Scott County Central after the 2004-05 school year. A regular-season game between the teams was canceled last year due to the discord between the schools, and a sectional meeting was the first time the rivals played each other following Heeb's departure from Bell City.

Delta's Jodi Menz, left, and Ashley Deprow sandwhiched Scott Central freshman Markita Mosley in the Scott-Mississippi tournament final in January. Delta (26-0), the top-ranked team in Class 1, is 3-0 against the Bravettes his year, but two of the wins have come by a combined three points. (Kit Doyle)

Heeb gave over the reigns of the Braves to legendary Scott County coach Ronnie Cookson prior to the start of the season. Through seedings in a pair of tournaments and one scheduled game, the Braves and Cubs met three times in the opening month of the season.

Bell City has owned this rivalry when it counts, having won three straight sectional meetings between the two teams over the last three years. The Cubs routed Scott County 82-51 last year in the sectional round.

"We've won some over at Poplar Bluff and we've lost some," said Cookson, "but we're going to show up."

Scott County is a year older, though, and has blossomed under Cookson with the matured play of sophomore Drew Thomas, who has been the Braves' most dynamic scorer. Thomas provides an athletic interior presence, but he can also step outside and hit from 3-point range.

Junior guard DD Gillespie and junior forward Caleb Johnson have also stepped forward. Johnson has shown marked improvement over last year, while Gillespie has been steady once again. Freshman point guard Bobby Hatchett had made a smooth transition to high school ball with his unselfish play.

Junior D.D. Gillespie, who played his freshman season on Bell City's final four team, leads Scott County Central to tonight's clash with the Cubs.

"They've got a lot of quality players," Brandtner said. "We have a lot of respect for their coach and their team. We have a lot of respect for them, but that being said, we're going to go out there and give them everything we've got.

"It's going to be a fight. We're just hoping when the final buzzer sounds we'll be on top."

The main deficiency for the Braves could be a lack of depth. Scott County does not go much more than seven deep.

Bell City, during its state final four run over the past five years -- the Cubs have made the final four three straight years and four of the past five -- has used depth to run teams into the ground. The Cubs do not go much more than seven or eight deep themselves, though, which should lead to another thrilling meeting between the two teams.

"We have guys on the bench I have perfect confidence with in every situation," Brandtner said. "Obviously, you want to stay out of foul trouble. They want to stay out of foul trouble."

The Cubs routed the Braves in their last meeting, but the first two games came down to the wire. Bell City has once again been led by 6-foot-10 senior Will Bogan and junior Nick Niemczyk.

Juniors Phillip Gross and Marty Dames both played major roles in last year's runner-up finish, and junior Austin Segers made the trip to the final four with the Cubs as a freshman.

"Everyone knows they'll try to stop Nick and they'll try to stop Will," Brandtner said. "Those other guys will be presented with opportunities where they have to make plays, and we have guys that can. Marty Dames, Phillip Gross, Melvin Johnson, Austin Segers, Austin Bush and Clay Dover, all those guys will play huge roles."

Other rematches

Rematches are not in short supply for area sectional squads tonight, as Delta and Scott County will also meet for the fourth straight year in a Class 1 sectional at Poplar Bluff. The Bobcats (26-0) will put their undefeated mark on the line against the Bravettes (19-7) at 7:45 p.m.

Delta has won the last two sectional meetings and finished third in Class 1 last year. This year, the Bobcats have won all three meetings between the two teams, the last two by a combined three points.

"Our kids are looking forward to it. It's always a good matchup," Delta coach Randy White said. "Our kids like playing them. It's just a great rivalry, great matchup. Both teams get up for it. It's good for basketball."

Senior guard Kaci Menz leads the Bobcats, ranked No. 1 in Class 1. Delta played much of the season without all-state senior Shea Smith, who made her season debut late in the season but is still not 100 percent following knee surgery in the fall.

Sophomore forward Jodi Menz and junior forward Ashley Deprow add a presence inside for the Bobcats.

Scott County is led by senior guard Brittney Peet, a four-year starter for the Bravettes. Samantha Jones and Brianna Johnson also have been among the Bravettes' leading scorers this season.

"Both Delta games have been emotionally high games, and I hope [today] will be the same way," said Scott County coach Semona Penrod. "Delta got us both times, but we get another shot."

Kelly, Doniphan meet

Poplar Bluff High School will be the sight of yet another rematch when Kelly and Doniphan meet for the third straight year in a girls Class 3 sectional at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday.

The Donnettes have won the previous two meetings. Doniphan (23-5) is ranked No. 4 in Class 3, and Kelly (23-6) is ranked No. 7.

"Any time you play a team in the state playoffs it will be a tough basketball game," Kelly coach Rod McQuerter said.

Kelly is looking to continue a successful run for its girls sports program. The Hawks' softball team made it to the final four this past fall.

"It's been an excellent season," McQuerter said. "Who would have thought the girls could make the state playoff in softball and basketball. It's a remarkable accomplishment for the girls."

St. Vincent faces Clopton

One team new to the state playoff is St. Vincent's girls, who won their first district title since 1987 with a 50-14 win over Meadow Heights in the Class 2 District 3 championship game.

St. Vincent will face Class 2 runner-up Clopton at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday at Mineral Area College in Park Hills. Clopton fell to Metro in the finals last year, which beat St. Vincent in the district finals. Clopton has reached the Class 2 championship game the last four years, finishing first in 2005.

"They're going to be really tough," St. Vincent coach Terry Wengert said. "We'll have our hands full."