SCC runs over Oran behind Porter, Hatchett

Otto Porter had 28 points and 12 rebounds as top-ranked Scott County Central rolled past Oran 93-46 on Monday in the quarterfinals of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

Braves coach Kenyon Wright expected no problems getting his team ready to face the eighth-seeded Eagles.

"The kids I have are self-motivated," Wright said. "They go out and play with intensity. They are a good group. Bobby [Hatchett] usually gets them going."

The Braves (8-1) jumped out to a 21-8 lead before Oran (6-3) scored the final four points of the first quarter to draw within 21-13.

Wright wasn't pleased with the movement from his team in the opening quarter.

Scott County Central's Otto Porter pulls down a rebound against Oran during their quarterfinal game Monday at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament game. Check out semoball.com for more photos from the game. (LAURA SIMON)

"We weren't moving on offense or defense," Wright said. "We were standing too much, not moving on the press."

The Braves got the message.

Scott County Central used a 13-0 run and an 18-0 run to break the game open in the second quarter.

"We started moving," Wright said. "We have kids that are quick, so they needed to get going. We got good stuff out of the back of our press. They started guarding and we hit a few shots."

Bobby Hatchett started the second with a bucket and a 3-pointer, Porter hit a jumper, Dominique Porter had two layups and Otto Porter finished the run with a layup to help the Braves to a 34-13 lead.

"We just wanted to come out and play hard," Otto Porter said. "Play our game and just run our offense."

Porter said his coach's message was clear in the second quarter.

"He just told us to get it going," Porter said. "Not be in a rush, and be patient and take our time."

Oran's Preston Scherer ended the 13-0 run with a jumper three minutes into the second, but the Braves responded with an 18-0 run to stretch the lead to 52-15, and headed into halftime with a 52-17 lead.

The Braves didn't let up in the third quarter.

Hatchett had 10 of his 23 points in the third quarter. He also added eight assists for the night.

"I just had to play hard," Hatchett said. "I have to lead a lot, so I try to get everybody involved and then get involved and get in my rhythm."

Oran coach Joe Shoemaker was impressed with the Braves.

"They are so quick," Shoemaker said. "They pass so well as a team. Bobby is an amazing passer and Bubba [Otto Porter] has developed a nice jump shot. It's tough for a 5-foot-8 guard to try and guard that."

The Braves extended their lead to 87-36 and cruised in the fourth quarter.

Jon Morrow's 18 points led Oran.

Wright was impressed with the improvement Oran had made from earlier in the year.

"Oran's gotten better," Wright said. "The big kid [Morrow] has improved. Shoemaker's teams always get after it and they always get better as the season goes along. That is something that we need to do."

Oran 13 4 19 10 -- 46

SCC 21 31 35 6 -- 93

ORAN (46) -- Preston Scherer 4, Nolan Urhahn 2, Gabe Kielhofner 3, Nathan Michelsen 9, Cody Moore 2, Reece Mangels 8, Jon Morrow 18. FG 20, FT 4-6, F 12. (3-pointers: Kielhofner 1, Michelsen 1. Fouled out: none)

SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL (93) -- Blake Pobst 2, Stewart Johnson 16, Bobby Hatchett 23, Trey Johnson 6, Otto Porter 28, Zach Abernathy 2, Charles McClinton 2, Calvin Porter 4, John Rhoden 2, Dominique Porter 8. FG 41, FT 7-12, F 9. (3-pointers: Hatchett 4. Fouled out: none)