BRAVETTE `D' TOO MUCH FOR CHS

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Class 2A second-ranked Scott County Central's Bravettes held Cape Central High to just 25 points over the first three quarters and went on to a 75-46 win over the Lady Tigers at the Central Gym Monday night.

The Bravettes, who won the tough Charleston Tournament a week ago playing with just five players, was back at full strength on Monday and it showed, especially on the defensive side.

Scott Central's relentless press forced Central into 20 turnovers in the first three periods, building a 44-18 halftime lead and a 53-25 lead heading into the final period.

"I was really pleased with the effort we gave defensively," said Bravette coach Danny Farmer. "I thought we did a real good job of keeping the ball away from (Sonya) Miller for the first three quarters and our press worked well."

Too well for Central coach Mark Ruark and his Lady Tigers, whose team was whistled for 21 fouls compared to just nine for the visitors.

"They must be the most incredible team in the world to press the entire game and only get called for nine fouls while we stay in a zone and commit 21 fouls," said Ruark, tongue in cheek. "They shot 28 free throws, we shot six. It's hard to win when that happens.

"The whole key to the ball game was that first half, though," he said. "We didn't execute well and we got out of our game plan. We never could really recover from that."

Yolanda Banks did the majority of the damage both offensively and defensively for Scott Central (19-1) in the first half.

Banks scored 17 of her game-high 23 points before the break and was able to continually deny Central's all-state post Miller the ball throughout the first half.

"Yolanda really did the job tonight," said Farmer. "She was able to do exactly what we wanted - keep them from getting the ball low. That took them out of their game plan."

Banks was nine-of-nine from the free throw line for Scott Central.

April Fort also had a big night for the Bravettes with 21 while all-stater Tonia Harris managed 19 despite an off shooting night.

Scott Central's offensive onslaught slowed in the third quarter when the Bravettes scored just nine points, but they still were able to hold Central to just seven tallies in the stanza.

The bright spot of the game for Central, which was playing without starting forward Andrea Martin and key reserve Debe Smith, came in the opening moments of the fourth quarter.

After a Scott Central bucket gave the Bravettes a 30-point lead, the Lady Tigers (10-9) went on an 11-0 run to cut it to 19.

Five different Central players scored in the sequence, including Miller's second conventional three-point play of the game. She finished with 18 to lead Central.

Guard Angie Haas also awoke in the final quarter, scoring eight of her 12 points in the late surge.

"I thought the girls showed a lot of character," said Ruark "We fought hard. I'm proud of them for the way the came back and never gave up."

Both teams will be back in action again Thursday as the lady Tigers travel to face Jackson while the Bravettes host Woodland.

SCOTT COUNTY 75, CAPE CENTRAL 46TS10R,12R,14R,16R,18R,20R

SCOTT COUNTY 23 21 9 22 - 75

CAPE CENTRAL 10 8 7 21 - 46

SCOTT COUNTY (75)

Banks 23, Fort 21, Tonia Harris 19, McCray 6, Betts 4, Tabitha Harris 2. FG 28 FT 19-28 F 9 (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none)

CAPE CENTRAL (46)

Miller 18, Haas 12, Koch 6, Myrick 6, Ringwald 2, Baily 2. FG 20 FT 6-6 F 21. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none)

MDNM