ORAN BRAVES OT FOR TITLE

ORAN -- The last time Oran High's boys basketball team won a district championship, coach Mitch Wood hadn't even started grade school yet.

Now THAT'S a long time.

But the Eagles won't ever again have to be reminded of that drought. It's history now.

Oran won its first district title since 1969 Thursday night as the top-seeded Eagles -- playing on their home court -- slipped past second-seeded Scott County Central 87-82 in an overtime thriller to decide the Class 1A, District 2 Tournament.

The Eagles will carry a 21-8 record into Monday night's Class 1A Regional game in Sikeston. Oran will take on the winner of District 1, which holds its final tonight.

Scott Central ends its season at 18-10.

"I was four years old the last time Oran won a district," said Wood with a laugh. "Thirty years ago. That's a drought."

Wood said the Eagles had previously won some sub-district titles when the playoff format was a bit different, but not since '69 had they captured a true district crown.

"It feels really good," he said. "I'm really happy for the guys because this is a good bunch of kids."

As happy as Wood was, his players were probably even more joyful. As the overtime buzzer sounded, the Eagles were engulfed by their fans during a lengthy on-the-court celebration.

"It feels great," said senior Ricky Eftink. "We've been aiming for this all year. We knew it would be tough, but we made it."

Said Senior Billy Loper with a grin, "After 30 years...it's a long time. It's really a great feeling."

Eftink and Loper, a pair of strong 6-foot-5 inside players, were as responsible as anybody that the Eagles were able to finally outlast the Braves.

With Scott Central having no player taller than 6-1, Eftink and Loper were able to control the inside as they combined for 43 points, 22 by Eftink and 21 by Loper.

Travis Friga, a 6-4 junior, got 17 more for the Eagles. Daniel Wheeler, a senior guard, added 14 while Nichols contributed eight.

"We had them outsized and we took advantage," Wood said. "The guards did a good job getting the ball inside, and when the inside was shut off, the guards were able to hit some outside shots."

Scott Central got 23 points from sophomore Vincent Stevens, 22 from senior John Fort, 19 from junior Jreece Johnson and 11 from sophomore Todd Blissett.

"Our kids really battled and we played well," said Scott Central coach Todd Porter. "All four times we played them this year (Oran won three of the four meetings), they've hurt us inside. We're just not very big.

"But our guys really played hard. I've said all along that this is the best group of kids since I've been here. Maybe not the best players, but the best kids."

Despite Oran's size advantage, the Eagles never could shake the Braves in a game that was close throughout and contained numerous ties, lead changes and momentum swings.

Oran led 10-4 early but Scott Central grabbed a 25-18 lead by the end of the first quarter. That seven-point margin equaled the biggest lead of regulation by either squad.

The Braves led 40-36 at halftime but quickly fell behind 43-40 early in the third quarter. Oran led the remainder of the period until Scott Central went ahead 52-51 just before the buzzer.

Scott Central went ahead 54-51 early in the final period. Oran later used an 8-0 run to go up 63-56 with four minutes left.

Oran still led 68-62 with just over two minutes to play and was seemingly in control. But Scott Central roared back and tied things at 69-69 with 32 seconds left on a Stevens layup after a Fort steal.

The Braves very nearly went ahead late in regulation as Blissett got a steal and drove for what could have been a tie-breaking layup -- but he lost control, then fell down and the ball rolled out of bounds off him.

Nichols had a good shot to win for Oran at the buzzer, but his jumper from just inside the free-throw line rolled off the rim.

It was on to a four-minute extra session. Each team scored on its first two possessions, leaving the contest at 73-73.

Oran then took control with a 6-0 run, getting four points from Loper and two from Eftink to go up 79-73 with 1:29 left.

Fort's 3-pointer made it 79-76 with 1:19 remaining. Then came perhaps the key sequence of overtime.

Stevens was whistled for his fifth foul with 1:07 left -- and he also received a technical after slamming the ball down in front of an official. Oran made two of four free throws and retained possession, which led to another foul shot that made it 82-76.

As Scott Central missed on its next two possessions, Wheeler got a basket and two free throws to make it 86-76 and seal the verdict.

"It was a great game," said Wood. "We've gotten better toward the end of the season but Scott County Central has really improved. Both teams played really hard and very well."

As Porter was getting ready to leave the gymnasium, he was told how great a game his team had just been involved in.

"It wasn't a great game because we lost," said Porter, forcing a smile. "But I guess it was for the fans."

And it certainly was for the Eagles, whose drought is over.