SCOTT CITY'S BECK HEADS TO THE TOP OF 3-POINT CLASS

SCOTT CITY -- More than once during Scott City High's win over Oran Friday night, Jon Beck caught a pass behind the 3-point line, sized up an open shot ... and passed to a teammate.

Considering Beck's phenomenal night last Tuesday, that's more significant than you might think.

In the Rams' 126-46 win over Egyptian High of Tamms, Ill., the 5-foot-11 junior guard made 16 of 25 3-pointers and scored 59 points.

According to a national record book, Beck's 3-point total is the sixth best ever for a U.S. prep player. It is believed to be the Missouri record.

The national record is 21 by Chad Bickley of Santa Maria (Calif.) Valley Christian Academy, set on Dec. 28, 1994.

As a team, Scott City sank 24 3-pointers, tying Kilgore Troup of Texas (Feb. 28, 1994) for the second most ever. The record is 29 by Alexandria Juniata Valley of Pennsylvania, set on Jan. 30 1997.

Beck, who is shooting 58 percent (23 of 40) from behind the arc in Scott City's 5-0 start this season, shot only one on Friday against Oran, which missed. He seemed intent upon doing everything but the thing that put his name in the record book.

So Beck, who in addition to a deft shooting touch has a 35-inch vertical leap, scored 20 points, delivered nine assists and grabbed six rebounds.

"The weird thing about the other night, the guy has 59 points, but he still had about seven or eight assists," said Scott City coach Derek McCord. "If there's ever a kid that deserves that kind of recognition, it's Jon.

"His work ethic is second to none. He comes early and he stays late. This day and age, that's a rare attribute for a young man. He plays tenacious defense; he's very quick; he passes exceptionally well; he rebounds. He just does everything that a guard needs to do -- he can do it all."

Beck's memorable night started early.

"I felt a pretty good rhythm in warmups," said the soft-spoken Beck. "And then I came out and hit my first three (3-pointers) right in a row."

Beck went on to hit 7 of 8 from behind the arc in the first quarter.

Last season against Notre Dame, Beck hit 10 3-pointers, tying Scott City's team record, and scored 37 points. By halftime on Tuesday, Beck had totaled those numbers.

By that time, Scott City had considered whether it was taking advantage of a vastly overmatched team.

Beck and McCord both said that after the first quarter Egyptian's coaching staff was asked whether Beck should remain in the game, which was already a blowout. They said Egyptian's staff welcomed the challenge of stopping him.

"That's why the whole second half I was getting double- and triple-teamed," said Beck.

"Our purpose was not to run the score or to humiliate anybody," McCord said. "Had we wanted to do that, we would have pressed more than six minutes."

Egyptian coach Joe Bruner didn't have much to say about the night.

"I don't think that's for me to say," said Bruner, whose team dropped to 2-4 with its loss to the Rams. "I don't know whether it was intentional or not. (McCord) has to do what's best for his team."

Any possible controversy aside, what's it like knowing you put together one of the best shooting displays in high school history?

"It feels great," said Beck. "It's what I practice for. I'm a gym rat."