Scott City wears down Braves

Scott City sophomore forward Alex King finished with a game-high 25 points as the Rams bounced back from an opening round upset to bring home the consolation championship of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament 82-61 over No. 8 Scott County Central on Friday at the Show Me Center.

The seventh-seeded Rams fell to No. 10 Meadow Heights in the opening round, but won three straight.

"It's easy to get in the consolation and fold up tent, lose to someone you're not supposed to," Scott City coach Lance Amick said. "The kids did a nice job. I'm a firm believer things happen for a reason."

The Braves kept things close in the opening half, trailing by as few as three points late in the half. With no player taller than 6-foot-1 on the floor, though, Scott County was eventually worn down by Scott City's size.

King, a 6-5 sophomore, scored 15 points in the second half, including 11 in the third quarter. Scott City led by 23 after three quarters and cruised from there.

"He rebounded hard," said Amick of King.

The coach added, "You have to give a lot of the credit for those points to our four guards."

Scott City's guards had plenty of shooting as well passing to King. Sophomore Ethan Watkins had 16 points, and junior Jamie Pinkston finished with 15. Pinkston had eight in the opening quarter.

"We started off hot," Amick said. "Jamie Pinkston scored 14 points, and I think that's a season-high for him."

Some late turnovers helped push Scott County over the 60-point barrier, but for much of the game Scott City's defense held the Braves in check.

D.D. Gillespie led the Braves with 26 points. Caleb Johnson added 16.

"Our defense got better in the second half," Amick said. "Through Monday to today our defense has improved 75 percent. We're actually taking pride in what we're doing."

Scott City 82, Scott County Central 61

Scott City 20 24 22 16 -- 82

Scott Co. Cntrl 16 17 10 18 -- 61

SCOTT CITY (82) -- Alex King 25, Ethan Watkins 16, Jamie Pinkston 15, Ryan Modglin 8, Andy Stephens 7, Landon Hill 5, Farrell Wasson 4, Rynn Eskew 3. FG 30, FT 19-31, F 17 (3-pointers: Watkins 3. Fouled out: none)

SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL (61) -- D.D. Gillespie 25, Caleb Johnson 16, Drew Thomas 7, Avery Williams 5, Pershard Owens 4, Richard Browley 4. FG 23, FT 11-14, F 23 (3-pointers: Gillespie 2, Williams 1, Thomas 1. Fouled out: none)