COACH RESIGNATIONS HIGHLIGHT HECTIC WEEK (PREP NOTES)

There was enough action on the area basketball scene this past week to make one's head spin.

Despite the big games, big performances and the big upsets, the big news came off the court as two respected and experienced coaches announced they would not be coaching next year.

Jackson coach Steve Burk retired after 20 years as the Indians' coach. Burk posted a 388-199 record during his career.

Later, Kelly coach Kent Mangels announced that he would not be coaching next season.

Mangels has been at Kelly for six years and led the Hawks to a 94-60 record during that span, heading into district play. He said he wants to spend more time with his family.

"The facility is a fine facility but we just have one," said Mangels. "Sometimes we don't get practice started until 6:30. I've got a young family and so many nights you get home and they're asleep. You never see them awake. They're getting to the age that I need to get home. I'd probably coach forever if I could leave everyday at 5:30 p.m. It's just time to become a dad, but I'm not saying I won't ever coach again."

Both Mangels and Burk will remain teachers in their respective school districts.

Eric the Great shooter

Eric Wessel, Cape Central's 6-foot-3 shooting guard was unconscious Friday night, hitting 10 3-pointers and scoring a career-high 35 points.

Wessel's six threes in one quarter is second in state history, according to a record book published by the Missouri State High School Activities Assocation. Former Scott City standout Jon Beck owns the record of seven.

Wessel's 10 threes in a game puts him in a tie for third place in state history, according to MSHSAA. Beck had 16 in a game and De Soto's Brandon Klaus had 11 in 1993.

Cape Central coach Brett Reutzel said he was in the process of researching to determine if Wessel set school records in 3-pointers in a game and in a quarter.

Jackson jacks the threes

Speaking of great 3-point shooting performances, Jackson lit up Perryville for 15 threes Wednesday night, which ranks second in the state record book.

Tory Meyr led the way with five threes, but five different players made shots from behind the arc, including Lucas McCulley who sank four.

Jackson made 15 threes and 16 twos in the 86-44 win.

The what-if game

The battle of top-ranked teams didn't live up to its hype Friday night as Dexter, No. 1 in 3A, handed 2A Scott City a 77-59 loss.

And while there was no doubt Dexter -- which held several leads in the mid-20s -- was the better team, there are many unusual factors to consider before dismissing Scott City as just an above-average team that plays a weak schedule.

First, one has to consider how poorly Scott City shot. Despite several open looks, the Rams uncharacteristically missed all 12 of their 3-point attempts. If Scott City makes just three of those shots, that's nine points.

Ryan Weatherspoon missed a dunk and tried to grab the ball while hanging on the rim. Weatherspoon didn't hang on the rim on purpose he just instinctively reached for the ball. Still, the Rams lost two points on the dunk and Dexter made a free throw for a three-point swing.

That's 12 points.

If Scott City coach Derek McCord doesn't slip and fall in front of his bench while protesting a call, he maybe doesn't get a technical called against him. Dexter makes two free throws and is robbed of a possession.

That's 14 points.

If Scott City makes 70 percent of its free throws instead of 58 percent like it did Friday night, that's another four points for a total of 18 what-if points.

The Rams lost by 18.

Class 1A upset

Scott County Central posted an upset Friday, knocking off Class 1A district foe Advance 68-62.

The Braves, seeded second in the upcoming District 2 Tournament, got 40 points from Jreece Johnson.

Advance, ranked second in 1A, got 28 points from Garrett Broshuis.

Advance dropped to 20-4 on the season with the loss, while Scott Central -- which plays a brutal schedule improved to 14-9.