Portageville pulls away late, tops SCC

SIKESTON — Turnovers plagued both teams, making for a scrappy, error-filled game, but Portageville managed to navigate the chaos, finding a way to get the job done and claim a 68-49 victory at Scott County Central.

After staying within striking distance for the first three periods, the Bravettes (3-3) succumbed to the poise, execution and veteran leadership of the Lady Bulldogs (6-0), turning a tight contest into a comfortable victory.

“We felt like we were a little sluggish tonight,” said Portageville coach Kellye Fowler. “We just couldn’t get going. Maybe it was because it was our first true road game. We just struggled to get our energy up and play with the type of intensity we’ve been playing with.

Portageville's Ja'Niya Smith (23) shoots during a 68-47 win at Scott County Central on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“Even though it wasn’t our best night, we were able to fight through it,” she continued. “I’m proud of that. It just took us a little bit to get going.”

Portageville demonstrated their ability to respond to adversity early in the contest. After SCC grabbed a 9-7 lead on a quick take by Camarie Perdue, the Lady Bulldogs displayed their firepower and intensity.

Aubrey Greenwell's electrifying transition play and Laney Stone's clutch three-pointer provided the offensive spark.

Scott County Central Nikki Adams (12) passes during a 68-47 loss to Portageville at SCC High School on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Glo Farmer showcased her hustle on the glass, securing two crucial offensive rebounds and converting them into points, including a putback just before the buzzer sounded.

This decisive 11-0 run set the tone for the remainder of the game as the Bravettes couldn’t find a way to make up the lost ground.

The second quarter saw a more balanced affair, with both teams exchanging baskets and Portageville maintaining the lead, taking a 38-24 advantage into halftime.

Portageville's Jayla Weddington (3) goes for a layup during a 68-47 win at Scott County Central on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

However, the third quarter presented a different challenge. Uncharacteristic turnovers and a lapse in offensive aggression allowed SCC to chip away at the lead, narrowing the deficit to 11 points heading into the final period.

“We definitely turned the ball over way too many times tonight,” Fowler said. “A lot of that was us trying to make an extra pass when we were already open to score. As the girls gain more experience they will make better decisions with the basketball. Most coaches probably have more problems getting girls to pass than they do getting them to shoot. It’s one of those good problems to have because it shows that aren’t selfish, but there have been some times when we needed to be more aggressive.”

The fourth quarter witnessed Portageville's resurgence. Sparked by an offensive surge from Ja’Niya Smith, Greenwell and Jayla Weddington, they unleashed a 13-4 scoring run, widening the gap to a comfortable 20-point margin.

“[Greenwell] was the bright spot for me,” Fowler said. “She was a real leader for us tonight. When the tempo was down and when some of us were struggling to get going, she was the energy for us. She drove to the basket and responded well to coaching.”

SCC was led by Nikki Adams, who scored a game-high 27.

“That’s [Adams] and she does that every night,” said SCC coach Andrew Pullem. “That’s just who she is, and we actually need a little bit more of that.

“We didn’t play too bad,” he continued. “We were able to run our offense and our press breaker, but some of our passes were late while players weren’t coming to the ball but I’m proud of the girls’ effort. Unforced turnovers were the big thing tonight. Once we fix those, we’re going to be a dangerous team.”

SCC hosts Cape Central (3-2) on Wednesday, Dec. 13, while Portageville is on the road at Chaffee (2-2) on Thursday, Dec. 14.

__PORTAGEVILLE 68, SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL 49__

P’Ville 18 20 10 20 — 68

SCC 9 15 13 12 — 49

Portageville (68) — Ja’Niya Smith 16, Aubrey Greenwell 14, Jayla Weddington 10, Glo Farmer 9, Laney Stone 7, Taryn Irby 7, Lily Beth Priggel 4. FG: 25. FT: 12-19. F: 13. (3-pointers: Irby 2, Stone 1. Fouled out: none).

Scott County Central (49) — Nikki Adams 27, Maddy Carlisle 11, Camarie Perdue 7, Laney Glueck 2. FG: 19. FT: 5-10. F: 16. (3-pointers: Carlisle 2. Fouled out: Reagen Evans).