Scott City falls to Charleston

Derek James

Standard Democrat

BLOOMFIELD -- After Tuesday night's semifinal victory against Kelly, Scott City coach Lance Amick hoped that his team would play the game of a lifetime against Class 3 powerhouse Charleston on Thursday.

For about 28 minutes in their District 2 matchup with the Bluejays at Bloomfield High School, it seemed the Rams were doing just that.

But in classic Charleston fashion, the Bluejays turned up the defensive intensity on their full-court press and turned the momentum and the game in their favor, capturing their third straight district championship 63-58.

The Bluejays (24-3) move on to the Class 3 Sectional at Poplar Bluff High School on Wednesday, where they will play the winner of District 1 at 8:15 p.m.

For Scott City (22-5), it was a valiant effort which ended in heartbreaking defeat.

"No one expected us to be in this ballgame and no one thought we could even play with them," said a teary-eyed Amick, in his first year at the helm. "But we came out and showed the heart and pride that all these kids possess. I'm so proud of my guys right now."

Scott City appeared to have No. 3 state-ranked Charleston on the ropes as they led 49-45 with four minutes remaining. But a series of mistakes, ranging from missed wide open layups to turnovers on the press, allowed the Bluejays to take control of the game.

"Charleston's been in that situation three or four different times in the last four or five years -- my kids haven't," said Amick. "Sometimes pressure can do different things to different people. We just didn't react the right way."

Charleston led 13-5 after one quarter but Scott City rallied behind the strong play of 6-foot-4 junior Mark Dannenmueller, who had a game-high 26 points.

Scott City led 27-26 at the half and took a 43-40 lead heading into the fourth quarter on Dannenmueller's halfcourt bomb.

Charleston nearly killed their own chances as they missed nine of their first 12 free throw attempts.

But they clutched up down the stretch, making 7-of-8 free throws in the final 39 seconds.

Charleston's Ashton Farmer, a 6-6 junior, had a game-high 22 points with 10 rebounds and five steals.

Point guard Marcus Biles added 14 points with seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Scott City's Ryan Glastetter chipped in with 11 points.