Cubs drive on Bell City eliminates rival SCC 59-54

For the second straight year, the Bell City boys basketball team got all it could handle in its Class 1 sectional game.

Unlike last year, when the Cubs lost to Clarkton, this season Bell City advanced with a 59-54 victory against Scott County Central on Tuesday night at Sikeston.

"We can't explain how hard we worked to get back here," Bell City senior Mack McIntyre said.

Bell City improved to 26-4 and will play Verona (22-7) at West Plains on Saturday in the quarterfinal. Verona beat Eminence 57-53 on Tuesday.

Scott County Central ended its season 13-14.

The Cubs trailed early in front of a standing-room only crowd. Andrew Pullen scored six points, as Scott County held a 13-9 lead after one quarter.

Randy Conn opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer, and Jeff Liggins scored on the following possession to give Bell City a 14-13 lead. The Cubs never trailed the rest of the way.

For a moment in the second quarter, it looked the Cubs would coast to a quarterfinal berth. Bell City scored the first 18 points of the quarter and did not allow a basket on for the first 5 minutes 40 seconds period.

"I thought our press hurt them a little more than expected," said Bell City coach David Heeb.

The Braves were not through yet, slowly chipping away at Bell City's lead.

Scott County's Chris Pullen scored six straight points and Isaac Porter scored late in the half to send the Braves into the locker room down just 29-25.

"We knew they were going to make a run. We just had to withstand that run, " McIntyre said.

Out of halftime, Bell City extended its lead to 35-25 with six straight points from Dominitrix Johnson.

Right on cue, the Braves bounced back with a 12-3 run of their own to pull within one point after three quarters.

"We've had somewhat of a problem getting up with a big lead on teams and not putting them away," McIntyre said.

Bell City was able to stay in front early in the fourth quarter from the free-throw line. The Cubs made six of seven free throws early in the quarter to open a 44-39 lead. Derek Pobst then made a steal and layup for a 46-39 lead with 4:15 remaining.

Scott County battled back. A basket from Chris Pullen and a Jeremy Johnson 3-pointer made the score 46-44.

Scott County closed within two once more at 48-46, but Bell City was able to keep the Braves at arms length. McIntyre came up with a steal down the stretch to help preserve the win.

Dominitrix Johnson led the Cubs with 23 points, including 10 for 10 from the free-throw line. Liggins added 12 for Bell City, which made 19 of 21 free throws.

Chris Pullen led Scott County with 20 points and Andrew Pullen added 14. The Pullenses combined to hit 12 for 12 free throws while the team made 14 of 15.

McIntyre said he's looking forward to making another run for a state title, which would be the Cubs' second in three years.

"There's no feeling like having them announce your name in the Hearnes Center," McIntyre said, "and having them put that medal around your neck."Bell City 59, Scott County Central 54

Bell City 9 20 09 21 - 59

Scott Co. Central 13 10 14 17 - 54

BELL CITY (59) -- Dominitrix Johnson 23, Jeff Liggins 12, Randy Conn 9, Zak McIntyre 8, Derek Pobst 4, Tyler Victor 2. FG 18, FT 19-21, F 9. (3-pointers: McIntyre 2, Johnson 1, Conn 1. Fouled out: none).

SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL (54) -- Chris Pullen 20, Andrew Pullen 14, Jeremy Johnson 10, Isaac Porter 6, Josh Boley 2, Daniel Holman 2. FG 19, FT 14-15, F 19. (3-pointers: Johnson 2. Fouled out: none).