Rulo leads rampaging Rams over Hornets

Scott City junior Jaylen Rulo scored 20 points to lead a 79-33 Rams’ rampage over the Advance Hornets on Thursday, Jan.18, in Advance, Missouri.

The Rams jumped out to a 25-13 lead in the first quarter with four three-point baskets. They took a 41-17 halftime lead after outscoring the Hornets 16-4 in the second quarter.

A 31-point third quarter outburst ended the game early, as the Rams led 72-30 entering the fourth quarter with a running clock. The Rams shot a total of nine three-point baskets and a near perfect 6-of-7 from the free-throw line.

“We were just taking what we can get,” Rulo said. “Practicing helps a lot with shooting.”

The Hornets found themselves on the charity stripe often, but only made 1-of-10 during the final period. Braylin Carlton led the Hornets with 14 points.

Mark Panagos scored 14 points for the Rams, with eight coming from the third quarter. Freshman Braeden Walton scored 11 points with three made shots from the three-points. Senior Nathan Ham scored all of his nine points on three-pointers, one per quarter before taking it easy in the final minutes.

The win marks Scott City’s fourth win in a row and 12th win of the season, surpassing last year’s win total. To do that before the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament is astounding, considering that before last year’s tournament, the Rams were going in with a 5-13 record. Rulo said the overall improvement from year-to-year was due to “energy,” while Panagos stressed “chemistry” as the major factor.

“We’ve been together but this year a lot of people have stepped up who needed to step up,” said Panagos, who mentioned the need for the young players to prepare for a time when the seniors are gone.

“They’re going to be losing a lot of seniors next year,” Panagos said. “So a lot of the younger guys are actually coming up and helping the seniors and we’re all just coming together.”

This year, a pair of freshmen have been featured on the varsity squad and have made constant contributions. Kaden Lowery scored eight points to go with Walton’s 11 against the Hornets.

“It’s awesome because they have confidence, which is something I didn’t have until going into my sophomore year,” said Panagos, who was also a freshman who was given heavy varsity minutes..

The Rams started the season 6-1 before going 2-2 and finishing sixth in the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament. They have since won four straight leading to their home game against Scott County Central on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

“It just showed that we had to put a lot more work in and that we’re nowhere close to where we want to be at the end of the season so we’re going to have to keep pushing until it’s over,” Panagos said.