DISTRICT DROUGHT ENDS FOR BOBCATS

ORAN -- For Delta High's boys basketball team, the wait is finally over.

The top-seeded Bobcats captured their first district championship since 1976 Thursday night as they defeated second-seeded Scott County Central 81-66 in the Class 1A, District 2 final played before a packed house in Oran High's gymnasium.

Delta, which improved its record to 20-7, will play a regional game at 8:15 p.m. Monday in Sikeston against the District 1 champion, who will be determined tonight.

Scott County Central, which had won 16 consecutive district titles before falling short the past three seasons, ended the year with a 14-13 mark.

"It feels good," said Delta coach Nate Crowden. "The boys have really worked hard and they really played as a team tonight."

Crowden has certainly come full circle with the Bobcats. He played on Delta's last district championship team more than 20 years ago.

"It's nice to be on both those teams," said Crowden, who added with a laugh, "You don't have to put in there that I played way back then, do you?"

Three seniors and a junior did the bulk of the Bobcats' scoring Thursday night.

Seniors Garrett DeBrock and Shawn Kinder -- who have been Delta's leaders all season -- had 22 and 11 points, respectively.

But it was the performance of two players who usually take a back seat to the exploits of DeBrock and Kinder that made a world of difference for the Bobcats.

Junior Greg Voelker matched DeBrock for team-high honors with 22 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter as he repeatedly got loose for fast-break baskets when the Braves were pressing to desperately try and rally.

Senior Andy Blattel, pounding the boards furiously despite standing only 6-feet, added 20 points, 15 coming in the first half.

"Garrett and Shawn have been consistent all year for us and they played well again tonight," said Crowden. "But Greg and Andy really came through for us.

"The last three games, Andy has just owned the boards. He's going against bigger guys, but he gets so many rebounds. And Greg is a big-game player. He hits big shots."

For all the Bobcats, the victory -- in front of a huge throng of Delta fans -- was about as sweet as they had imagined it would be.

"It feels real good," said Kinder. "When we were all in the eighth grade, coach talked to us about our goals and how we could reach those goals.

"We've been shooting for this ever since then."

Said a chuckling DeBrock, "We've probably thought about this even before the eighth grade. We've wanted it for a long time. And it feels great."

Talented sophomore Jreece Johnson paced the Braves with 21 points while junior John Fort scored 19 and senior James Jones added 17.

Last year, a solid Delta team lost to Richland in the district championship game. But this time there would be no denying the Bobcats even though the Braves -- who had been routed by Delta at home just last Friday night -- put up a strong challenge.

The teams were tied 17-17 after one quarter before Delta pulled away to a 39-30 halftime lead.

After Delta opened up a 50-40 lead late in the third quarter, Scott Central rallied and pulled to within 54-48 by the end of the period.

Scott Central kept coming and closed the gap to 54-50 early in the fourth quarter. After Delta went back up by 10 twice, the Braves rallied again to get within 64-58.

But DeBrock hit two free throws and then a layup to build Delta's lead back to 68-58. The Bobcats were home free as they pulled away even more in the closing moments.

"The key tonight was we had a great team effort," DeBrock said. "No individual came out and dominated. Everybody just did their job."