Four-time defending state champ SCC reaches district basketball final

MORLEY, Mo. -- The Scott County Central boys basketball team's pressure defense early in its Class 1 District 2 semifinal Tuesday night provided the kind of impact the Braves have been accustomed to during four consecutive state championship seasons.

The Braves forced six turnovers in Oak Ridge's first eight possessions, which helped them build an early lead on their way to a 76-55 win.

"We was just talking about how we usually start the games out slow and don't wake up until the third quarter," SCC junior Larandis Banks said. "We just wanted to come out with a little bit of fire under us tonight."

The third-seeded Braves (14-13) built a 14-3 lead to start the game and forced nine turnovers in the first quarter.

"We just know with our press we can give people fits if we'll just get up and work," SCC coach Frank Staple said. "I thought tonight we really got up and we were where we needed to be. We were focused. Obviously, you've got to say with them having their best player out it makes a difference. You hate to see that. You wish the best for [Oak Ridge's Ryan] Below. But I thought we came out tonight and did what we had to do."

Scott County Central’s Larandis Banks passes the ball against Oak Ridge during the third quarter of their Class 1 District 2 semifinal game Tuesday in Morley, Mo. The Braves won 76-55 and will play Leopold in Thursday’s championship game. (Fred Lynch)

Oak Ridge (20-7) was without its leading scorer Ryan Below, who has a severely sprained ankle.

"When you lose your best player it's always going to hurt," Oak Ridge coach Adam Stoneking said. "But when you lose your best player on both ends of the floor -- and he makes such a difference on the defensive end. You take the scoring away, defensively he's a game changer. I think he's easily one of the top defensive players in the area.

"You take that away and now all the sudden guys are playing in different roles, and where he used to be able to kind of save you from making mistakes, now that's not there. You make a mistake and they score."

Banks and senior Jaylen Porter, the only players on the Braves' roster to see significant playing time during last season's state championship run, scored 15 of the Braves' first 19 points.

"We're just trying to be leaders," Banks said. "We're just trying to tell them to follow up. We know what it takes to get them there if everybody just puts in the effort."

Oak Ridge’s Hunter Seyer drives against Scott County Central’s Javonta Daniel during their Class 1 District 2 semifinal game Tuesday in Morley, Mo. (Fred Lynch)

Banks fininished with 20 points, while Porter had 12 -- eight of which came in the first quarter.

"It's huge for them because once they get on a roll -- and if they can hit some early shots -- it gets their energy going, and as they go, everybody else goes," Staple said.

Oak Ridge, a typically good-shooting team that made eight 3-pointers in its quarterfinal win, made just one of its seven shots in the opening quarter and did not make a 3-point shot in the first half.

"We shot fantastic in practice the last two days," Stoneking said. "Everything was falling in practice. We told them, 'We've got to make shots. That's the name of the game. If you don't make shots, we're in trouble.' We didn't make shots in the first half, and it cost us."

Senior forward Lance Rohde scored the Blue Jays' first 12 points. He finished with a game-high 31 points and 14 rebounds. Senior Hunter Seyer added 16 points.

"I told them it was a pleasure being able to be their coach for the last five years," said an emotional Stoneking. "I just wish they had another opportunity."

But then Stoneking, who called watching the seniors grow from eighth graders "fulfilling," paused and reconsidered.

"They all play baseball. You know, they're kids, and Monday baseball season starts, and this is all in past because they live in the moment."

The Braves, meanwhile, will continue on their march to a fifth consecutive state title. Up next is Leopold, the top seed and No. 2 ranked team in the state. The teams will meet on the Braves' home floor at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

"We're going to have to get out and stop the shooters," Staple said. "That's the biggest thing. They've got so many kids that can shoot. We're going to have to just bring a lot of defensive intensity, handle their pressure, make a lot of good decisions, and the bottom line is we're just going to have to come ready to play."

Scott County 17 22 15 22 -- 76

Oak Ridge 8 14 13 20 -- 55

SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL (76) -- Chris Brown 12, LaRandis Banks 20, Jaylen Porter 13, Tyler Masters 4, Matthew Blissett 4, Javonta Daniel 6, Kendall Blissett 1, Jeffery Porter 12, Cameron Blissett 5. FG 31, FT 11-16, F 13. (3-pointers: Brown 1, C. Blissett 1. Fouled out: none)

OAK RIDGE (55) -- Andrew Puchbauer 1, Ethan Seyer 2, Hunter Seyer 16, Kelby Brown 5, Lance Rohde 31, Covin Schoen 5. FG 19, FT 14-17, F 14. (3-pointers: H. Seyer 4, Brown 1. Fouled out: Schoen)