SCC boys reach Class 1 basketball semifinals, seek 17th title

~ The Braves routed Niangua 64-39 in the quarterfinals

Standard democrat

DEXTER, Mo. -- For the sixth time in seven seasons, the Scott County Central Braves are headed back to Columbia, Mo.

The Braves (24-5) defeated Niangua on Saturday afternoon 64-39 at the Bearcat Event Center in a Class 1 quarterfinal.

Scott Central will take on Stanberry (26-1), a 51-47 winner over Wellington-Napoleon during another quarterfinal game, at the state semifinals at Mizzou Arena.

Larandis Banks led all scorers with 18 points, while Kendall Blissett and Jeffery Porter added 15 and 13 points each for the Braves. Niangua's Bryce Adams and Dusty Edwards each scored 12 to pace their team, who made a 3 1/2-hour trek from southwestern Missouri.

This was Niangua's first quarterfinal appearance since 1989 and their third playoff appearance in school history.

The Braves pressured Niangua into six first quarter turnovers and scored the games' first seven points. By the end of the quarter, Scott Central held a 22-2 advantage by containing the Cardinals to just two free throws and an 0 for 10 shooting effort.

Scott Central shot 2 of 14 from the floor in the second quarter but extended their lead at the foul line shooting 14 for 18. They led 40-15 at the half.

The Braves outscored Niangua 20-13 in the third for a 60-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter where the mercy rule came to effect.

Thursday will mark Scott County Central's 19th trip to the final four where they've won a state record 16 state championships.

SCC 22 18 20 4 -- 64

Niangua 2 13 13 11 -- 39

SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL (64) -- Juwan Owens 6, Larandis Banks 18, Jeffery Porter 13, Kendall Blissett 15, Javonta Daniel 4, Matthew Blissett 8. FG 23 FT 16-20 F 21. (3-pointers: Banks 1, Porter 1. Fouled out: none.)

NIANGUA (39) -- Scott Terry 6, Bryce Adams 12, Wyatt Bailey 5, Dusty Edwards 12, David Henderson 4. FG 11 FT 15-20 F 17. (3-pointers: Adams 1, Edwards 1. Fouled out: Adams, Henderson.)