Scott City posts surprising win over Sikeston

Scott City pulled off one of the upsets of the area high school boys basketball season Friday night, beating visiting Sikeston 68-61.

The Rams improved to 8-5 and dropped the Bulldogs to 9-6.

"It was a very good win, and I'm real happy for the guys," Scott City coach Lance Amick said. "Sikeston is well coached and a great team. It's probably one out of 10 where we beat them, but tonight was the one.

"Everybody just stepped up and played their role. I just think we wanted it more than they did."

Jamie Pinkston led the Rams with 19 points. Jay Simmons and Rynn Eskew both scored 15 points, and Caleb Estes added 11.

Sikeston was paced by Michael Porter with 18 points. Julian Beard scored 17 and Brandon Washington had 13.

"Porter and Beard scored 18 and 17 points, but I guarantee you they earned all of their points," Amick said. "I thought we did a great job defensively on them."

The game was close throughout, with a 27-27 halftime tie and a 45-44 Sikeston lead after three quarters.

Scott City outscored the Bulldogs 24-16 in the final period to prevail.

After Sikeston took a 49-46 lead early in the fourth, the Rams went on a 9-0 run sparked by an intentional foul. Pinkston hit one of two free throws, and Alex King scored on the ensuing possession to tie the game. King scored on the next possession to give the Rams the lead.

Beard ended Scott City's run with a 3-pointer to cut the score to 55-52 with 4:15 to play. But Simmons answered with his own 3-pointer seconds later, pushing Scott City's lead back to six.

"We didn't play very well, but you have to give Scott City a lot of credit," Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield said. "They played extremely hard. They competed and battled all night. ... I thought they were outstanding."

Scott City made just seven of 20 free throws -- Sikeston was only four of 13 from the line -- but the Rams had just 12 turnovers and outrebounded the Bulldogs 35-31.

"When you only have 12 turnovers and outrebound a team like Sikeston, that gives you a chance to win," Amick said. "I'm just real proud of all the guys."

Scott City 68, Sikeston 61

Sikeston 14 13 18 16 -- 61

Scott City 11 16 17 24 -- 68

SIKESTON (61) -- Julian Beard 17, Brandon Washington 13, Blake Taylor 2, Matt Rich 2, Josh Jackson 2, Juqualin Wiggins 3, Dominic Fondon 4, Michael Porter 18. FG 27, FT 4-13, F 17 (3-pointers: Beard 1, Washington 1. Fouled out: none)

SCOTT CITY (68) -- John Pinkston 2, Jay Simmons 15, Rynn Eskew 15, Jamie Pinkston 19, Caleb Estes 11, Alex King 6. FG 29, FT 7-20, F 13 (3-pointers: Simmons 3. Fouled out: none)JV -- Sikeston 76, Scott City 39.