Cubs bounce back for consolation title

Bell City couldn't have started the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament with a more disappointing performance.

But the Cubs couldn't have ended the 64th annual event on a more positive note.

The Cubs rebounded from a blowout loss in the first round to win the consolation championship.

Bell City, seeded 10th, knocked off No. 13 Scott City 51-38 on Tuesday to finish ninth in the 16-team field.

"We bounced back all right," Bell City senior guard Ronnie Gross said. "I think we got better [as the tournament progressed]."

The Cubs (6-4) notched three straight wins after being routed by No. 7 seed Advance 59-41 in the opening round.

"We came and laid an egg that first night," Bell City coach Brian Brandtner said. "You never know how the kids will respond.

"We did get three wins in the tournament. That's always great."

Gross led the Cubs with 12 points. Skylor Blackler, a 7-foot junior center, added 10 points and was a force inside with several blocks.

Senior Cody Page paced the Rams (4-5) with 12 points.

Bell City, which never trailed, led 28-15 at halftime and by 15 points in the second half.

Scott City pulled within seven points in the fourth quarter before the Cubs regained control.

Despite the relatively comfortable victory, Gross didn't think the Cubs performed very well.

"It was an ugly win," Gross said. "We didn't play too good."

Brandtner agreed.

"There was no real flow to the game," he said. "But we did a good job rebounding and I thought that was the difference in the game."

Also making a difference was Gross, who finished among the tournament's top scorers with 60 points.

"We had some great teams the last couple of years and he didn't get a lot of time," Brandtner said. "He's been overshadowed, but he makes us go. He had a great tournament."

Scott City also had a solid tournament, bouncing back from a 71-29 first-round loss against No. 4 Charleston to beat two higher-seeded squads — No. 12 Oak Ridge and No. 9 Meadow Heights — before losing to the Cubs.

Bell City1513716—51

Scott City781112—38

Bell City (51) — Melvin Johnson 8, Jeff Long 9, Jason Hess 4, Ronnie Gross 12, Skylor Blackler 10, Brandon Bell 8. FG 18, FT 12-17, F 22. (3-pointers: Johnson 2, Gross 1. Fouled out: Blackler)

Scott City (38) — Josh Henson 6, Cody Page 12, Shae Simmons 8, Tyler Glueck 2, Brennan Uelsmann 4, Jake Campbell 4, Kyle Lacey 2. FG 13, FT 11-22, F 18. (3-pointers: Campbell 1. Fouled out: None)