Defending champ SCC remains a force in Class 1

Many people thought the Scott County Central High School boys basketball team would take a big step back this season.

The conventional thinking was that the Braves, so dominant the past three years, would be hard-pressed to make the Class 1 final four let alone capture a fourth consecutive state title.

Don't count us out so fast, said the new-look Braves, who graduated all-world forward Otto Porter and a host of other top players from last season's squad.

SCC's record (20-10) isn't as glittering as the past several years, but the Braves find themselves in a familiar spot after beating all of their playoff opponents by at least 14 points.

Saturday's 65-51 quarterfinal win over Eminence has SCC in the final four for the fifth consecutive year -- probably much to the surprise of all those folks who thought the Braves were simply too depleted this season.

And now SCC will shoot for a remarkable state championship four-peat this week in Columbia, Mo.

While the Braves don't rate as overwhelming favorites like the last few years -- if they're even favored at all -- bet against them at your own risk.

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Another of the region's tradition-rich boys basketball programs will look to join SCC in adding to its lengthy list of state championships this week.

Charleston, the region's top team all season, will carry a 29-2 record into the Class 3 final four after the Bluejays finished third last year.

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Oran's boys came up short of the Class 2 final four, but the Eagles had quite a postseason in reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 1969.

The Eagles' surprising run, which came after Oran lost eight seniors from last year's district title squad, ended with Saturday's 74-48 loss to equally surprising Hayti.

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I had the assignment of covering Oran's game with Hayti so I arrived early at Dexter High School to watch the girls quarterfinal matchup between South Pemiscot and New Haven.

I wanted to get my first look at South Pem sophomore guard Carrie Shepherd, who I had heard so much about.

All the hype was justified. Shepherd, who has already surpassed 1,000 career points, is a phenom.

Shepherd, who is likely to be recruited by some big Division I programs, already is being pursued heavily by Southeast Missouri State.

By the way, New Haven -- the team that eliminated Meadow Heights in the sectional and has an impressive sophomore guard of its own in Rachel Steinhoff, another potential Division I recruit -- beat South Pemiscot 48-42.

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While Porter, having a strong freshman year at Georgetown, is getting ready for the NCAA tournament, two other former area high school stars recently completed standout Division I seasons that fell short of the Big Dance.

Notre Dame Regional High School graduates Ryan Willen and Jane Morrill both received all-conference recognition.

Willen, a senior forward at Lafayette (Pa.) College, wrapped up an impressive career by making the all-Patriot League first team and being named the conference's scholar-athlete of the year.

Willen, eighth in career scoring at Lafayette and just the 13th player in school history to score more than 1,000 points and pull down more than 500 rebounds, led the Leopards (13-18) in scoring and rebounding this year with averages of 14.4 points and 5.3 boards.

Morrill, a sophomore forward at Arkansas State, was a second-team all-Sun Belt Conference selection. She led the Red Wolves (12-18) in scoring (16.2) and rebounding (5.5) while leading the league in free-throw shooting (87.7 percent).

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I wrote last week about Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball having at least one new coach next season after Eastern Illinois fired Mike Miller.

OVC women's hoops also is assured of at least one new coach in 2012-13 after Tennessee State dismissed Tracee Wells on Tuesday.

Wells, who posted just one winning record in eight seasons, was 77-155 overall and 55-103 in OVC play. The Tigers went 9-21 this year.

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The NCAA men's basketball tournament, probably my favorite sporting event, is just about upon us.

I can't wait.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.