HIGH SCHOOL: SCOTT CITY OVERTAKES ORAN IN FINAL SECONDS

ORAN, Mo. -- Scott City High's boys basketball team trailed for all but 14 seconds of Friday night's game against host Oran.

But that was still enough to lift the Rams to an exciting 63-61 victory. Scott City is now 3-1 while Oran fell to 2-2.

"We got outplayed for three quarters tonight, there's no doubt about it," said Scott City coach Derek McCord. "Oran should be congratulated on a fine effort. They're going to beat a lot of teams this year. They came out ready to play and it took us a while to get going.

"But our senior leadership stepped up late in the game. Nick Steimle and Ben Sample both hit some big free throws. This is a good win for us. To go on the road for the first time (this season), we can learn a lot from this game."

Steimle gave the Rams, who trailed by 11 points in the third quarter, their first lead of the night when he made two free throws with 14 seconds left, putting Scott City ahead 62-61.

Steimle then blocked an Oran shot and Sample was fouled with five seconds remaining. He made one of two free throws for a 63-61 lead, then Sample came up with a steal to seal the victory.

Steimle led the Rams offensively with 20 points and he also pulled down 13 rebounds. Ben Sample scored 17 while Michael O'Brien had 11 and Ricky Keller added 10.

"Michael O'Brien came up huge off the bench for us," McCord said.

Oran got 12 points from both Nathan Seyer and Adam Friga. Patrick Friga had 10.

The Eagles held a 13-11 lead after one quarter and pushed their advantage to 38-32 by halftime. They then built an 11-point third-period lead, but the Rams pulled to within 53-46 by the end of the quarter and then rallied in the final period.

Scott City's junior varsity won 58-53 behind 24 points from Tyler Ward, who hit all 11 of his field-goal attempts and both of his free throws.

Woodland 66, Chaffee 49

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Jared Houchins stands just 6-feet-2, but he played much bigger than that in pouring in 30 points to lead Woodland past Chaffee as the Cardinals improved to 4-1.

"We couldn't stop the big boy inside," said Chaffee coach Brian Horrell. "He's a good player and Woodland is a very good team, really well coached. We got down early, but I was proud of the kids for how they fought back."

Alex VanGennip added 12 points for the Cardinals while Ryan Bandermann contributed 10.

Chaffee (1-1) was paced by Matt Stroup with 20 points and G.P. Glueck with 15.

The Cardinals led by 12 points early, but the Red Devils pulled to within 17-9 after one quarter and 33-26 at halftime. They were still within striking distance entering the fourth quarter at 47-39 but Woodland pulled away down the stretch.

Bell City 91, Delta 53

BELL CITY, Mo. -- Gabe Scherer paced four Bell City players in scoring with 26 points as the Cubs romped.

Bell City (2-3) also got 15 points from both Brian Phillips and Jason Rampley. Eric Henry added 12.

Delta (3-2) was led by Troy Nussbaum with 19 points. Lance Kinder added 10.

The Cubs jumped out to a 21-13 lead after one quarter and led 45-23 at halftime.

"We played hard and we really rebounded well," said Bell City coach David Heeb.

Scott Co. Central 71, Oak Ridge 55

OAK RIDGE, Mo. -- Todd Blissett scored 24 points to lead Scott County Central.

Tim Carlisle added 10 points for the Braves (4-1), who led 31-19 at halftime and cruised in the second half.

Oak Ridge (1-5) got 13 points from both Beau Morrison and Jeff Cowen. Clayton Ruesler had 11 points.

Sikeston Tournament

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Top-seeded New Madrid County Central knocked off third-seeded Poplar Bluff 70-60 to win the championship.

Ronland Ranson paced the defending Class 3A state champion Eagles (5-0) with 24 points while Dereke Tipler had 22. Jamie Waddell scored 13 for Poplar Bluff (5-2).

Second-seeded Sikeston captured third place with a 68-67 overtime win over No. 4 Blytheville. Justin Freeman and Lontas McClinton both scored 15 points for the Bulldogs (3-3). Curtis Smith had 16 for the Chickasaws (5-3).

No. 5 Doniphan claimed the consolation title (fifth place) by beating No. 6 Charleston 72-51. Adam Crader, a 6-11 center, poured in 31 points for the Dons (5-2). The Blue Jays (1-5) got 12 points from Jordy Mixon.