SCOTT CITY SLIPS PAST PORTAGEVILLE IN OVERTIME THRILLER

PORTAGEVILLE -- In past critical games, Scott City High guard Jon Beck has almost singlehandedly carried the Rams to victory.

Such wasn't the case Tuesday night when Scott City, ranked No. 2 in Class 2A, hooked up with No. 9-ranked Portageville.

Huge outings from not only Beck but Ryan Weatherspoon, Ronald Watson and Lance Amick lifted the Rams to a scintillating 94-88 overtime victory over the host Bulldogs.

The win, Scott City's 15th in succession, concludes its regular season. With a first-round district tournament win, the Rams (24-2) would gain their fourth straight 25-win campaign.

Portageville (21-5) had its 15-game winning streak snapped.

The game was possibly a preview of the upcoming Class 2A sectional game, which will be played March 10 at the Tiger Fieldhouse. Playing without Beck, last season Portageville upended Scott City in the sectional contest.

Behind Watson's 13-point first quarter, Scott City took a 27-19 edge into the second period. Watson, a junior, scored 19 of his team-high 25 points in the first half as Scott City led 47-37 at the intermission.

"We jumped on them early with our press," Scott City coach Derek McCord said. "We really got after them early, and in the first quarter Watson just dominated."

Portageville, which hit 11 3-pointers, shot well in the second half to send the game into the extra period. But in overtime, Weatherspoon -- who finished a terrific night with 11 points, 18 rebounds and 10 blocks -- had four blocks and Beck had six of his 23 points.

"We got some easy baskets on backdoor cuts," McCord said. "But overall, Portageville guards as well as anybody we've played. Our team just persevered in a hostile environment."

For the game, Scott City made 23 of 25 free throws, and Amick contributed 19 points.

Portageville, which lost for the first time in 15 games with Quentin Sykes at the point, was led by Tory Saxton's 25 points. Eric Williams had 16, Charlie Caldwell 15 and William Dirden 13.

Notre Dame 69, Malden 51

You've come a long way, Bulldogs.

Notre Dame easily handled visiting Malden Tuesday night in its final home game.

The victory was the Bulldogs' eighth in their last nine games. Notre Dame, 4-11 at one point, is now 12-12.

"It was really a good win for us," Notre Dame coach Chris Janet said. "This groups has really struggled together, but they've played very well the last few games."

Notre Dame was led by Zach Miller, who finished with a game-high 19 points. Sophomore Jason Rubel added 12 points as 12 of the 13 Bulldogs found the scoring column.

Class 3A, District 2

PARK HILLS -- A game-closing, nine-point run -- capped by Ryan Verseman's two free throws with two seconds remaining -- lifted Perryville to a 62-60 triumph over Potosi in a first-round tournament game.

Fifth-seeded Perryville, which improved to 10-14, will meet North County Thursday at 6:30 in a semifinal game. Potosi was the No. 4 seed.

With its press forcing key turnovers late in the contest, Perryville's Tyler Abernathy hit a critical 3-pointer and Michael Downen came up with a basket inside before Verseman's free throws sealed the outcome.

Perryville led 23-12 after one quarter but was outscored 29-22 in the second and third quarters. Downen led the Pirates with a game-high 18 points, Ryan Wischern had 14 and Abernathy and Verseman each added 10.

Kelly 59, Oran 52

BENTON -- Thanks to increased defensive pressure and 11-for-11 shooting from the free throw line, Kelly outscored Oran 21-5 in the fourth quarter and escaped with a win.

For Kelly (15-8), Jim Hulshof had a game-high 24 points and Russ Mothershead added 10. Kelly trailed 47-38 entering the fourth quarter.

Billy Loper had 17 for Oran (18-8). Daniel Wheeler had 13 and Travis Friga and Ricky Eftink each added 10.

Scott County 86, Bell City 62

MORLEY -- Five Braves scored in double figures as Scott County Central rolled.

Jon Fort had 23 points, Todd Blissett 18, Vincent Stevens 16, Jason Blissett 10 and Nick Wheeler 10 for the Braves (15-9).

Jarrod Eftink led Bell City with 21 points, Glenn Adams had 13, Gabe Scherer 11 and Jeremy Walter 10.

Meadow Heights 85, Chaffee 74

CHAFFEE -- Five Meadow Heights players scored in double figures as the Panthers overcame a 14-point halftime deficit for their third win of the season.

Seth Revelle paced the Panthers with 18 points and was followed by Josh Mayfield and Joe Jones, 15 apiece, and J.D. Brune and Cody Thompson, 11 apiece.

Freshman Chase Eskew scored a game-high 23 points for Chaffee (1-19) while Mike McLard tallied 11 and Phillip Blevins netted 10.

Marquand 64, Valle 59

MARQUAND -- Dusty Stephens scored 33 points and pulled down 15 rebounds to lead Marquand.

Steve Braswell added 11 points for Marquand (14-10).

Valle took a slim 13-12 lead into the second quarter but Marquand moved ahead 31-29 by halftime. The Tigers upped their lead to 52-46 by the end of the third quarter and held on.

Leopold 54, Oak Ridge 47

LEOPOLD -- Ashton James had 20 points and Adam Horrell added 12 to pace Leopold.

Leopold (14-10) led 14-6 after one quarter and 28-25 at the break.