Braves overwhelm Oran to win title

ORAN -- Desmin Williams knew who was in the house Friday night for the championship game of the Scott-Miss Conference boys basketball tournament.

"Sikeston's players were here, and we had to just play our game and play hard, show them we're going to come ready to play," Williams said.

Williams, a 6-foot-2 senior forward, mentioned the "S" word a couple more times in a brief conversation after the Braves' 98-37 victory over Oran in the championship game.

Some of the Bulldogs players did come to see Scott County play just two days after an arranged game between the two schools -- their first meeting in 38 years -- was scheduled for Feb. 11.

The Braves put on an exhibition, scoring 66 points in the first half and rolling to their third tournament championship of the season.

Scott County Central (15-1) previously had won the Oran Invitational, which included an opening-round win against the host, and rolled to the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament championship with no outcome closer than 18 points.

The Braves had a greater lead than that after one period Friday and stretched the margin to 58 points by halftime with a 38-2 second quarter. Sikeston's players had seen enough by then.

"We just keep working on the little things that are going to make us a better team," Williams said.

The Braves' starters ended their night 40 seconds into the second half.

Williams finished with 20 points to complement Drew Thomas' 22 points. Otto Porter added 12 and Randy Timmons had 10.

Nathan Michelsen led Oran (6-9) with nine points.

"We didn't shoot the ball well," Oran coach Joe Shoemaker said, "and when you miss shots, they transition and turn them into points."

Oran had reached the final by stunning Kelly, which beat Chaffee 68-58 on Friday in the third-place game.

"The last couple games, we've started playing better," Shoemaker said. "We're a young team, and we're starting to mature, hopefully. I told the kids they were in the championship round, and a lot of teams wanted to be here. We have to build on it in practice Monday, because we've got another tough week."

Kelly used a balanced attack with four players in double figures in the third-place game.

Josh DeBrock led the Hawks with 15 points, Levi Felter added 14, while Ryan Essner and Eric Turley each had 12.

Felter, after missing all six of his free throws in the first half, was 6 for 6 in the fourth period to help Kelly protect its lead.

Michael Rutherford led Chaffee with 21 points. Trenton Horman added 16, and Taimen Taylor scored 13, including eight in the final period.

@z_agate_no tab_no indnt_bld ld:Championship

Scott County Central 98, Oran 37

@z_agate_HSbasketball_linescore:Oran621910--37

SCC28382012--98

@z_agate_no tab_no indnt_bld ld:ORAN (37) -- Kurt Rendleman 7, Preston Scherer 6, Jake Carter 2, Gabe Kielhofner 5, Nathan Michelsen 9, Zac Chasteen 1, Jon Morrow 7. FG 14, FT 7-10, F 12 (3-pointers: Rendleman 1, Kielhofner 1; Fouled out: None)

SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL (98) -- Alan Timmons 4, Bobby Hatchett 8, Nick Johnson 5, Desmin Williams 20, Drew Thomas 22, John Rhoden 4, Randy Timmons 10, JacQuan Cowley 2, Chris Blissett 2, Otto Porter 12. FG 38, FT 13-15, F 10 (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: None)

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@z_agate_no tab_no indnt_bld ld:Third-place game

Kelly 68, Chaffee 58

@z_agate_HSbasketball_linescore:Kelly14172017--68

Chaffee12131617--58

@z_agate_no tab_no indnt_bld ld:Kelly (68) -- Ryan Essner 12, Josh DeBrock 15, Brett Harper 4, Levi Felter 14, Zach Essner 7, Eric Turley 12. FG 27, FT 11-25, F 18. (3-pointers: Ryan Essner 2, Josh DeBrock 1. Fouled out: None)

Chaffee (58) -- Trenton Horman 16, Michael Rutherford 21, Jason Cicardi 2, Taimen Taylor 13, Nathan Cicardi 4, Collin Dannenmueller 2. FG 24, FT 6-15, F 20. (3-pointers: Rutherford 3, Taylor 1. Fouled out: J. Cicardi)