Scott City boys basketball team beats back rival Chaffee

Scott City got off to just the kind of start it was looking for against rival Chaffee in Monday's opening round of the Southeast Missourian Christmas tournament.

The eighth-seeded Rams scored the game's first seven points and led all the way during a 66-41 victory over the ninth-seeded Red Devils at the Show Me Center.

"Coach always says win every quarter," Scott City senior Zach Cotner said. "We always want to put a run on, keep it on and bury them."

That's exactly what happened as the Rams (7-2) outscored the Red Devils (4-2) in every quarter, including a third-period knockout blow.

Cotner scored 15 points in the first half to help Scott City lead 31-20 at the break. He added seven points in the third quarter to help the Rams outscore Chaffee 19-7 to break open things at 50-27.

Chaffee's Alex Davie fights for a rebound between Scott City's Ryan Brock, left, and Logan Henson during the third quarter Monday. (Fred Lynch)

"We started off hot, but we let them get back in it," said Scott City senior Landon Robert, noting several first-half runs by the Red Devils. "We finally picked it up again in the second half."

Cotner poured in 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Robert added 15 points, including three 3-pointers.

"It's kind of lucky when you have two kids coming back who were your top two scorers last year and are both seniors," Scott City coach Mark Dannenmueller said about Cotner and Robert. "Zach's a really good slasher. He gets to the rim and he's really athletic. Landon, when he gets his shot going, he's about as good a shooter as anybody around here."

Senior Alex Crowe led Chaffee with 12 points. Freshman Peyton Montgomery added 11.

"I thought the effort was pretty good all night," Chaffee coach Josh Govreau said. "Scott City is a really good team, and we just gave up too many easy baskets."

The Rams, who scored the first seven points, led 11-2 before Chaffee climbed to within 11-10. It was 17-10 after the period.

Chaffee made another run in the second quarter, trimming a 24-13 deficit to 24-20 before Scott City scored the final seven points, five by Cotner.

Scott City then put away the contest in the third quarter and led by as many as 29 points in the final period.

"All cylinders were going for us. Shots were falling," Cotner said.

Chaffee eliminated Scott City in a consolation bracket semifinal at last year's tournament, and the Red Devils won two of three meetings with the Rams.

"It feels good to beat Chaffee, especially them beating us twice last year," Robert said.

The Red Devils still have a chance to repeat their consolation championship while the Rams earn a quarterfinal date at 4:30 p.m. today against top-seeded Charleston.

Chaffee 10 10 7 14 -- 41

Scott City 17 14 19 16 -- 66

CHAFFEE (41) -- Alex Crowe 12, Peyton Montgomery 11, Zach Dannenmueller 5, Layton Tenkhoff 3, Jordan Yahn 2, Alex Davie 6, Charlie Montgomery 2. FG 17. FT 6-15. F 11. (3-pointers: Crowe 1. Fouled out: none)

SCOTT CITY (66) -- Landon Robert 15, Jesse Sanders 4, Tyler Adams 2, Jonathan McFall 8, Zach Cotner 28, Ryan Fortner 1, Ryan Brock 8. FG 28. FT 4-5. F 16. (3-pointers: Robert 3, McFall 2, Cotner 1. Fouled out: none)