SCC celebrates senior night with hard-fought win over Hayti

SIKESTON — Nikki Adams is a difference maker for the Scott County Central girls' basketball team.

The standout sophomore led the Bravettes (10-12) to a 65-61 senior night win over Hayti on Thursday, Feb.16.

“I’m just happy we were able to get the win for these seniors,” said SCC coach Andrew Pullen. “We sent these players out the right way with a win on their home court. I knew that Hayti was going to play hard and we did a good job of their energy and intensity.”

Scott County Central's Maddy Carlisle (3) buries a 3-point shot at the halftime buzzer during a 65-61 win over Hayti on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Adams was dominant anytime she was on the floor and finished with 22 points, 16 rebounds, five steals, two blocks and two assists.

“She is our go-to player,” Pullen said. “She’s consistent and we know what we're going to get from her each night. We try to feed her inside and when she gets going, teams have to double and triple team her and that opens up shooting opportunities for everybody else.”

Both offenses struggled to find a rhythm early in the game, and it was each team’s defensive effort that was leading to many of the points.

Scott County Central's Camarie Perdue (34) passes to an open teammate during a 65-61 win over Hayti on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

The Bravettes tied it 14-14 after a takeaway and score in transition by Maddy Carlisle, but Carmen Rhines knocked down a shot at the buzzer that gave the Lady Indians (7-16) a slight advantage at the end of the opening quarter.

“Most kids, if they’re not scoring points then they don’t want to play defense,” Pullen said. “If you can get a couple of those easy baskets it will usually lead to more inspired play on offense.”

The teams exchanged the lead eight times in the second quarter before Scott County Central finished the half on a strong run to take a 38-28 lead into the break.

Scott County Central's Reagan Evans (4) shoots a free throw during a 65-61 win over Hayti on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

The Bravettes dominated the glass during the stretch with Adams, Camarie Perdue and Reagen Evans all making shots after grabbing offensive rebounds, and Carlisle burying a corner 3-pointer at the buzzer.

“We took a couple of blows at the beginning of the quarter,” Pullen said. “But by the end, we were rolling pretty well. We had a couple of steals, and a couple of easy baskets and were able to get a good 3-point look right as the buzzer went off. It gave us the momentum and set the tone for the rest of the game.”

Carlisle’s toughness was on full display throughout as she was playing through an injury and dealing with a lot of pain, but she pushed through in the second half and provided the team with some valuable contributions.

Scott County Central's Kierstin Banks (5) drives during a 65-61 win over Hayti on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“[Carlisle] is a team player,” Pullen said. “As long as her leg isn’t cut off or broke, she going to come out and give us all she’s got.”

Adams was forced to sit for most of the third quarter after picking up her fourth foul. Hayti was able to take advantage, taking a 49-48 lead on the first possession of the fourth quarter after Kanas Border made a 3-point shot.

“It got tough for us,” Pullen said. “We were looking to pound the ball inside but when [Adams] picked up her fourth foul we had to go to a completely different gameplan. We just tried to hold it together until we could get her back into the game, and as soon as she reentered the game she made an impact.”

Scott County Central's Kyla Pearson (13) splits a double team during a 65-61 win over Hayti on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Adams reentered the game about midway through the fourth quarter and immediately made her presence felt. She scored inside to regain the lead for Scott County Central as soon as she stepped back on the floor, and Evans made a 3-pointer that increased the lead to 56-53.

Reggi Ford responded with back-to-back made shots to put Hayti back on top 57-56, but Evans scored on a putback on the next possession to recapture the lead for the Bravettes.

Adams had consecutive post scores to extend the lead to 62-57 with about two remaining.

The Lady Indians continued to fight but Scott County Central made some clutch shots from the charity stripe to ice the game.

Evans made a free throw with seven seconds left in the game to increase the lead to two possession, and also had a steal on Hayti’s final possession to secure the victory.

She was hustling and making good plays,” Pullen said. “But it was a complete team effort tonight. Whoever went into the game was ready to go.”

Evans finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and three steals. The team’s other top performers were Carlisle with 11 points and two steals and Kierstin Banks with 10 points, three steals, two rebounds and a block.

Kyla Pearson finished with six points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and made several high IQ plays.

“That’s a senior for you,” Pullen said. “She’s started varsity for the past three years and she also played a lot of minutes as a freshman. She knows where to get to and how to get the ball to the right player. She’s been doing it for the past three years.”

The Bravettes shot 54 percent from the field, but just 47 percent from the free-throw line.

Scott County Central will travel to Scott City (15-8) in its regular-season finale on Friday, Feb. 17.

The team received the No.2 seed in the MSHSAA Class 1, District 1 Tournament at Naylor High School, and will face seventh-seeded Koshkonong (0-18) on Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Fifth-seeded Hayti will take on fifth-seeded Bloomfield (9-14) in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 2, District 1 Tournament at Bloomfield High School on Feb. 21 at 6 p.m.

__SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL 65, HAYTI 61__

Hayti 16 13 17 15 — 61

SCC 14 24 10 17 — 65

__Hayti (61) —__ Reggi Ford 14, Kanas Border 13, Carmen Rhines 12, Treazure Johnson 11, Olivia Taylor 7, Asia Williamson 2, Taaron Larry 1. FG: 22. FT: 9-19. F: 26. (3-pointers: Border 3, Rhines 2, Ford 1. Fouled out: Johnson, Larry.)

__SCC (65) —__ Nikki Adams 22, Reagan Evans 12, Maddy Carlisle 11, Kierstin Banks 10, Kyla Pearson 6, Camarie Perdue 6. FG: 25-46. FT: 16-34. F: 19. (3-pointers: Carlisle 1, Evans 1. Fouled out: Adams.)