Scott County Central plays for state title today

COLUMBIA -- Tim Cool says bring the heat. His team can handle it.

The Newtown-Harris coach said that his team scoffs at half-court trapping defenses.

"We don't see much of that because we usually carve it up pretty good," Cool said. "To be really honest, our guard play is so good that teams don't usually try to do that for very long. We usually shoot layups."

Cool's Tigers likely will get a heavy dose of pressure from Scott County Central in today's Class 1 state boys basketball championship game at Mizzou Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 12:20 p.m.

The Braves rely on their defense to create offensive chances. They forced Glasgow into 27 turnovers in Thursday's semifinal game, finishing with 33 points off turnovers.

Scott County Central coach Ronnie Cookson goes for state title No. 13 today in Columbia.

"We just got to come out there and let them make turnovers and mistakes," Scott County sophomore Otto Porter said. "Just go out there and play good defense on them. We just got to get more stops."

This is the first time the Tigers have reached the final four in the program's history, while the Braves will try to add to their state record 12 championships. But Newtown-Harris has reason to be confident after its sectional win over Jefferson, the three-time defending state champion and top-ranked team in Class 1 for the entire regular season.

"After that game, we were kind of able to put things in perspective as far as the rest of the state goes," Tigers senior Canaan Fairley said of the Jefferson win. "However, we knew that our task wasn't done. We were going to have to play just as hard as we did against them to beat Mound City and Chadwick to get to the state championship."

Fairley's coach echoed his player's optimism and made a promise about his team's attitude entering today's game.

"One thing I can guarantee you, these guys will not be intimidated, they won't be afraid when they go out there on the floor," Cool said. "These players have such a competitive spirit. They're going to go out and play."

KJ Cool leads the Tigers offensively, averaging 18.5 points a game through district play. Fairley is the only other Newtown-Harris player who averaged more than 10 points, pouring in 11.9 a game.

"All year we've taken pride in our depth, and that's something that's gotten us here," Fairley said. "That's what's getting us to the state championship right now. We feel our depth is the key part to what we're trying to do."

The Tigers average 72.9 points a game, while giving up 43.5 a game. They hit 159 3-pointers through district play and added nine in Thursday's 75-64 win over Chadwick.

There's plenty of reason for the Braves (28-2) to be optimistic as well. Newtown-Harris suffered one loss during the season, and it was at the hands of Glasgow, 82-72 on Jan. 3. The Braves walloped Glasgow 78-44 in a state semifinal Thursday.

The Braves average 86 points a game, while allowing 47.5 a game.

"They are very skilled and I think they execute things really well, too," coach Cool said. "Not only are they very skilled basketball players, but they are very good at execution. They run the floor with an organized break really, really well. They have guys running to spots with an idea. They do a pretty good job of spreading you out on the fast break and really running the middle."

Scott County also draws motivation from the desire to erase the memory of last year's third-place finish.

"If I have to run through this wall to get my championship, I'll do it," Scott County senior Drew Thomas said. "I don't know how the other people think, but that's just how I think."

Thomas leads the Braves' offensive attack, averaging 25.5 points a game through district play. He scored a game-high 31 in the state semifinal.

"I got nothing to lose," he said. "I've got one [game left], so I'm going to go even harder."

The Scott County players said Thursday that the toughest part about the championship game was the wait.

"I've been thinking about I want to get to it now," Scott County junior Bobby Hatchett said minutes after his team's semifinal win.

The Braves will get their chance today, and their coach likes his team's attitude as it goes for his 13th state title.

"This group of kids I've got this year, I really don't think you can put pressure on them, I really don't," Braves coach Ronnie Cookson said. "I think they're so loosey-goosey that I don't see how you could."