RAMS MEET CARDS AGAIN AT SECTIONAL

The Scott City Rams will be looking for a repeat performance tonight at 8:15 in their sectional rematch at the Cape Central Fieldhouse against the East Carter County Redbirds.

Last year Scott City ended the Redbirds undefeated season with a shocking 70-61 sectional win. The upset loss finished the Redbirds' season with a 27-1 record while the Rams moved onto the quarterfinals.

This year the stakes are the same but this time Scott City looks to be the favorite. The Rams (25-4) won their highly competitive district and are ranked sixth in Class 2A. East Carter, with a record of 52-3 over the past two seasons, comes in with a 25-2 mark and ranked No. 10 in the state.

Scott City coach Derek McCord has no problem with his team being considered the favorite.

"I don't think there's any extra pressure on us because of the way the game turned out last year," McCord said. "If anything, I think it puts more pressure on East Carter."

The Redbirds lost two starters from last year's team, but this year's edition looks just as tough, featuring both depth and experience.

"Their starting five are very similar to ours in size and shooting ability," said McCord. "I think (East Carter) has a deeper bench and they bring a lot of size off the bench. Their first seven kids are seniors."

And those seniors have had a lot of success over the years as a group. Since the fourth grade, this class has won over 140 games while losing just three. The three losses came in their final two years together.

Senior Benji Stahl leads the offense for East Carter after recovering from knee surgery this season. According to McCord, Stahl is the Redbirds top perimeter player.

"Stahl is a great ball handler, he can shoot the three and he's been there before," said McCord.

Stahl used to attend Twin Rivers and played for the Royals when they reached the quarterfinals in 1995.

Other players to watch for on East Carter are 6-foot-3 seniors Dominic Thompson and George Meyers.

"Both are tremendous on the boards and they run the floor extremely well," McCord said. "They play physical."

But the Rams have a pretty talented team that has had their fair share of success over the years. Over the last two seasons, Scott City has amassed a 52-8 record.

"Dustin Cauble, Chris Sisk and David Inman have been tremendous leaders," McCord said of his seniors. "With this being their final year, I know they're going to come out and play."

Cauble leads Scott City, averaging 28 points a game. Sisk adds about 15 points. Junior Tim Lowery chips in 14 points and several assists as the Rams point guard.