Scott City boys basketball team defeats Scott County Central

~ The Rams won the Scott-Mississippi Conference title with an 80-77 victory

Scott City coach Mark Dannenmueller ran through a list of his team's most painful losses after facing Scott County Central on Tuesday night.

"We lost to them," he started, referring to the Braves. "We lost to New Madrid in a game we were leading. We lost close to Charleston early in the year. We lost to Egyptian this last Thursday that was close."

He didn't have to add another game to the list after the Rams rallied to an 80-77 home win.

"This was huge for us because if we lose, it's just one of them games again where you see no results and we needed to see results. For the kids to see it, it was huge. They needed this more than anything, and if we can't have confidence after this game, I don't know when we can."

Scott City's Jonathan McFall takes a jump shot over Scott County Central defenders in the first quarter Tuesday, February 14, 2012 in Scott City. (Laura Simon)

SCC (14-8) forced 11 turnovers in the first 11 minutes of the game and led 39-26 with two minutes left in the second quarter.

"Here as of late, we've been working on our press and working on some things," SCC coach Kenyon Wright said. "The kids are trying to get everything together to come down here to a district tournament."

The Rams, though, turned over the ball just once more over the final five minutes of the second quarter and closed the half on an 8-0 run.

"We haven't played well our last few games," Dannenmueller said. "I don't know if that was kind of a layover or what it was, but man, you want to talk about responding? That was awesome. That was great to see that. We could have easily folded and got down by 15 at half. Instead we cut it down to five and gave ourselves a chance."

Junior Ryan Brock, Scott City's 6-foot-4 center, scored his first points of the game with 2 minutes, 21 seconds left in the second quarter and added four more points during the Rams' run to end the half. He finished tied for the team high with 17 points.

Scott City’s Zach Cotner, left, and Scott County Central’s Antonio Johnson go for a rebound during the third quarter Tuesday in Scott City. (Laura Simon)

"They didn't have any height, so one of our keys for the game was to get the ball inside," said Brock, who is listed at two inches taller than the tallest Braves player.

SCC got four offensive rebounds in the first minute of the third quarter after pulling down two in the first half. The Braves netted three points from the effort, and they finished with 10 second-chance points in the game, according to Scott City's count.

"That's what we had, which is nothing compared to the last time we played them," Dannenmueller said. "It was big. We did a great job boxing out. That was huge. They're so good at not only turning your turnovers into points quickly, but they also, if you play really good defense, they turn that into two points easily because they get the board and they put it right back in and that just kind of demoralizes you. We didn't allow that to happen for the most part."

While the Braves didn't get as many second chances as they're accustomed to, they also surrendered few to the much-bigger Rams.

"Every night we're outmanned," Wright said. "It's been all season. For 20-something games, we've been playing teams that are bigger than us. It's just something that I've been trying to get them to concentrate on and get to work on. I thought they did a pretty good job rebounding for the most part. They gave up a couple. One offensive rebound will kill you, will get you beat every time. Just one. It doesn't have to be 15, just one."

Wright said he didn't have one play in mind while making that statement, but Brock's offensive rebound and putback with 2:43 left in the game gave Scott City a 73-69 lead. The Braves never again trimmed the lead to less than three points.

"I know we gave up several," Wright said. "Not several, but a couple. We can't give up any to a team that's bigger than you are and tougher than you are on their home court. You can't give up any."

Scott City tied the game once in the third quarter but did not lead until Jesse Sanders made three free throws with 3:57 left in the fourth quarter to give the Rams a 69-68 advantage.

Sanders, who also finished with 17 points, was awarded two free throws after being fouled by Antonio Johnson, who fouled out on the play. He got two more as a result of a technical foul when Johnson's replacement wasn't listed in the scorekeepers' book.

Dominique Porter scored 19 points for the Braves, who play a short rotation. He missed the final 2:19 of the third quarter after falling to the ground on a rebound. His brother Jaylen Porter also missed time during the game.

"He got knocked down there and hit his hip, and I thought Jaylen broken his finger," Wright said. "He did, but he popped it back into place. It was dislocated or something because that's why I took him out."

Scott City's Sanders, meanwhile, left the game with 2:09 left after hurting his ankle and did not return, while Zach Cotner played limited minutes due to foul trouble.

The victory improved the Rams' record 16-8 and 6-0 in Scott-Mississippi Conference play. The win clinched the regular-season title.

"It's a big step for us," Brock said. "We've lost a lot of close games. To finally win one, especially the conference championship, that's pretty great."

SCC 18 21 21 17 -- 77

Scott City 11 23 22 24 -- 80

SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL (77) -- Larandis Banks 8, Jaylen Porter 10, Tyler Master 4, Antonio Johnson 16, Dominique Porter 19, LaMarcus Steward 20. FG 27, FT 18-26, F 19. (3-pointers: Banks 2, Johnson 1, D. Porter 1, Steward 1. Fouled out: Johnson)

Scott City (80) -- Landon Robert 16, Jesse Sanders 17, Tyler Adams 2, Jonathan McFall 15, Zach Cotner 10, Ryan Fortner 3, Ryan Brock 17. FG 29, FT 18-22, F 18. (3-pointers: Robert 1, Sanders 2, McFall 1. Fouled out: none)