Missouri basketball coaches honor Bell City duo

~ Scott County Central, Advance and Delta were also represented on the all-state teams.

Bell City's second straight runner-up finish in Class 1 boys basketball helped earn a pair of Cubs all-state honors.

Senior center Will Bogan and junior guard Nick Niemczyk each made the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association all-state team, which was announced Thursday.

Bell City finished 28-5 following a 66-65 loss to Jefferson in the finals, the second straight year the Cubs fell to Jefferson in the title game.

Bogan used his 6-foot-10, 300-pound stature to dominate the post. In his two years with the Cubs, Bogan averaged a double-double each season, including averages of 22 points and 15 rebounds a game this season. During the two final four games in Columbia, Bogan combined for 47 points and 35 rebounds.

Niemczyk, a 6-2 guard, averaged 20 points and five rebounds a game, while also leading the Cubs in 3-pointers and free throws attempted and made. In the championship loss, Niemczyk led the Cubs with 26 points.

Scott County Central, which defeated Bell City twice in the regular season before falling short against the Cubs in the sectional round, placed junior guard D.D. Gillespie on the all-state squad.

Gillespie gave up some of his scoring this past season to forwards Drew Thomas and Caleb Johnson, but the three-year varsity starter remained the floor leader for the Braves (25-5).

Advance senior Alex Steil earned all-state honors in Class 2. Steil averaged 18 points and six rebounds for the Hornets, who fell to Puxico in the district finals.

In girls basketball, Class 1 rivals Delta and Scott County Central each landed a player on the all-state list.

Delta senior Kaci Menz earned all-state honors after averaging 15.6 points, 3.1 assists and 3.8 steals for the Bobcats. Delta finished its season 26-1 after falling to Scott County Central in the sectional round.

Scott County Central senior guard Brittney Peet also was honored. Peet was a four-year starter for the Bravettes. The speedy guard scored 18 points in Scott County's upset win over top-ranked Delta in the sectional.

Scott-Miss all-conference

The Scott County Central boys basketball team rolled through the Scott-Mississippi Conference, capturing the regular season and tournament titles.

The Braves swept the postseason conference awards as well, with Drew Thomas earning player of the year honors and Ronnie Cookson taking home coach of the year. Scott County won its fourth straight district title this past season, but fell to rival Bell City for the fourth straight year in the sectional round.

Cookson came out of retirement to lead the Braves after coach and athletic director David Heeb, who was handed a suspension by the Missouri State High School Activities Association, yielded control of the team. Scott County finished its season 25-5, with four of those losses coming to area powers Bell City, Charleston and Malden.

Thomas led the Braves in scoring as a sophomore. Braves juniors Caleb Johnson and Gillespie joined Thomas on the all-conference team.

Scott City senior Alex King and junior Jay Simmons also earned all-conference honors, along with Kelly senior Spencer Ayers, Chaffee junior Andy Hendrix, Oran junior Kody Campbell and Oran senior Chase Seyer.

In girls basketball, Scott County Central's Peet earned player of the year honors.

Delta, the regular season and tournament champions, was tied for the lead in the conference with three all-conference selections: senior Kaci Menz, junior Ashley Deprow and sophomore Jodi Menz.

Kelly, which made the quarterfinals in Class 3, also had three selections: senior Brittany Ponder, junior Sarah Ruff and sophomore Debra Hall. Hawks coach Rod McQuerter was the coach of the year.

Rounding out the all-conference team were Scott County Central senior Samantha Jones, Oran senior Erica Michelsen and Oran senior Tiffany Glastetter.