SCC lives up to top billing in Christmas tourney

Last week's Southeast Missourian Christmas tournament went pretty much like I -- and most people -- expected, at least at the top.

Entering the 66th annual event at the Show Me Center, I didn't talk to anybody who thought Scott County Central would not three-peat -- and probably by some lopsided margins.

Form held as the Braves coasted to their third consecutive title, their closest margin of victory being 84-61 over Charleston in the semifinals.

SCC put up at least 100 points in the first two games, then destroyed Jackson 75-34 in the final.

Time may prove me wrong, but I don't think the Braves are quite as strong as they were last season when they featured a pair of Division I talents in dazzling point guard Bobby Hatchett and silky smooth 6-foot-9 forward Otto Porter.

Hatchett has moved on to Midland Junior College in Texas, but Porter is still around, which means the Braves -- who have plenty of solid players surrounding Porter -- remain extremely tough.

I will be stunned if the Braves don't capture their third straight Class 1 state championship this year. I can't imagine there is a Class 1 squad in Missouri that can keep up with SCC's relentless machine.

While Porter, like the Braves as a unit, didn't have much competition in the tournament, it doesn't take long to understand why so many of the nation's elite college programs are recruiting him. The senior put on some kind of show last week.

About the only thing the rail-thin Porter doesn't have going for him right now is a major-college-type body, something he'll probably grow into as he matures.

But as far as skills, Porter has pretty much everything you could imagine for a player only a few inches short of 7 feet. In fact, I'll bet Porter is as skilled as most of the top high school players his height in the country.

The odds of anybody making the NBA are long, and I'm not predicting Porter will reach that level. But I also wouldn't be surprised if he gets there. That's how good I think he is and how much potential I think he has.

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While Porter was by far the top individual in the tournament, there were several other impressive players.

Jacob Tolbert, Notre Dame's 6-7 senior forward, is being recruited by some lower-to-mid-level Division I programs and should have a bright future.

But for my money the second-best player in the tournament was Greg Tucker, Charleston's fast and strong 6-2 junior guard.

The solidly built Tucker displayed a quick first step, deep shooting range and solid ballhandling skills.

Tucker is starting to generate quite a bit of lower-to-mid-level Division I recruiting interest, and that should intensify during the rest of this season and next year. His future definitely appears bright.

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Former Southeast football coach John Mumford finally got to experience a postseason game during his 11th year on the Army staff.

Mumford, who led Southeast's program from 1990 through 1999, is the defensive ends coach at Army, which beat SMU 16-14 in Thursday's Armed Forces Bowl. The Black Knights were making their first bowl appearance since 1996.

Mumford has been a member of Army's staff under four coaches.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.