Scott County Central boys basketball team ready to battle at Class 2 final four

SIKESTON, Mo. -- There will be no fear of the moment when the Scott County Central boys basketball team takes the court today.

This is the Braves' territory.

SCC (25-4) brings a state-record 17 state titles into its Class 2 final four game against Crane (28-2), which is scheduled for noon today at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri.

Jeffery Porter and Matthew Blissett started for the Braves in last year's state championship game, while Javonta Daniel, Drake Kesler and Tre Moore also contributed and made the trip to Columbia.

"The moment's not too big for us," SCC coach Frank Staple said. "They're not going to be shell-shocked by going up and playing at Mizzou Arena. Any time you've had guys that have been there, it just helps a whole lot."

The Braves claimed last year's Class 1 state title with a 69-39 rout of Meadville but made the switch to Class 2 this season, and the transition hasn't slowed them down.

SCC is 17-3 against in-state opponents that are Class 2 or higher this season, including a 52-50 home win against Class 3 semifinalist New Madrid County Central in its regular-season finale.

Staple said he's proud of his team's effort throughout the season.

"They've beat some really good teams," Staple said. "They've just kept trucking along, and I think now it's about going out and trying our best every night to give our best effort and give ourselves the best chance to win."

The Braves' quest for title No. 18 faces perhaps its toughest postseason challenge today.

Crane is ranked No. 1 in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 2 boys basketball poll and has held the coveted spot for most of the season, according to Staple.

Four of the Pirates' five starters measure at 6-foot or taller, but the group is led by 5-foot-9 senior guard Zach Chastain, who's averaging a team-high 17.6 points and 2.6 assists per game. He's shooting 55 percent from the floor, including 35 percent from beyond the arc.

"They have three really good players -- one really, really good player in Chastain," Staple said. "They shoot the ball well. They are extremely good at getting to the hole. ... They're fearless, and they kind of like to play the way we do, pressure the ball and get up and down the court. We'll have to be ready."

Jake Sowell, a 6-2 senior forward, is averaging a team-high 5.1 rebounds per game for Crane and is also averaging double figures in scoring with 13.7 points per game.

Senior guard Clay Stumpff is the Pirates' leading 3-point threat, shooting 37 percent (76 of 205) from long range. He's averaging 10.3 points per game.

Dale Lamberth began the season as Crane's head coach but was placed on administrative leave in late January before resigning from his position in early February, according to the Springfield News-Leader.

The Pirates haven't lost a game under the direction of interim coach Chris Hastings, which Staple believes is a testament to the program.

"I think they were one bucket away from making it to Columbia last year, and they returned four starters," Staple said. "To lose your coach in any situation that late in the season is difficult, but they've kind of kept rolling. ... They're just a high-quality team."

Staple said the keys to victory begin on the defensive end.

"We've got to keep Crane out of the lane. We've got to stay out of foul trouble," Staple said. "We've got to make sure that we're moving on offense, and I think our biggest key to determine how we play is the way we communicate. If we're communicating on both ends, we're a pretty tough team."

The Braves' playoff run has relied on the stellar play of Jeffery Porter. The 6-2 junior guard is averaging 29.4 points per game this postseason, including a 46-point performance in Saturday's 70-62 state quarterfinal win over Valle Catholic.

Porter also led SCC in a come-from-behind win against Bernie in the Class 2 District 1 championship, during which he scored 34 second-half points.

Staple said he's pleased to see Porter come alive late in the season but understands it takes an entire team to win it all.

"We need that from him," Staple said about Porter. "He's really, really stepped up these last few games for us and put up monumental efforts, but there are a lot of guys that do the small things -- the Matthew Blissetts and Drake Keslers -- that don't go in the stat books. But I think it's a total team effort from top to bottom.

"The thing about these guys is they just love each other. They work hard together, and they know they have to win together. And I'm just proud of them for the way they've gelled this year."

Canton (26-4) and Mid-Buchanan (29-1) will compete in the other semifinal at 1:40 p.m. today.

The championship game is slated for 11 a.m. Saturday, while the third-place game will take place 11 a.m. Friday.