Talented Braves cap big year with Class 1 title

When I saw the Scott County Central High School boys basketball team crush every opponent to win the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament in late December, I didn't think there would be a Class 1 team that could deny the Braves the program's 13th state title.

That's how it played out.

The Braves weren't challenged in adding to their state record for championships as the smallest margin of victory in their four playoff games was 28 points.

The games weren't close over the weekend in Columbia as the Braves first routed Glasgow 78-44 in Friday's semifinals, then destroyed Newtown-Harris 98-63 in Saturday's final.

SCC finished 29-2, with the only two losses coming against much larger schools Memphis Central, 76-70 in the second game of the season, and Sikeston, 86-85 in that epic battle at the Show Me Center.

I wrote after the Braves' Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament title that it's never easy to compare teams, but I offered the opinion that the current SCC bunch at least belongs in the discussion with some of legendary coach Ronnie Cookson's former powerhouses that ruled Class 1 and ranked among the state's top squads regardless of school size.

And my money says the Braves will repeat their title next year, since sophomore forward Otto Porter and junior point guard Bobby Hatchett -- both Division I prospects -- are among the players eligible to return.

That's got to be a scary thought for other Class 1 squads who barely made the Braves work up a sweat this season.

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If this was finally Cookson's swan song in charge at Scott County Central -- his comments following Saturday's championship seemed to indicate that -- then what a legacy he'll leave behind.

With more than 700 wins and those 13 state titles, Cookson long ago stamped himself as one of the top coaches in the history of Missouri high school hoops.

And the neat thing about Cookson is that, unlike some other coaches who achieved so much success, he never came across as a person who thought he invented the game.

Cookson is just a good ole' country boy who works his teams hard and always seems to get the Braves to play at the peak of their potential.

He's also got a quick wit and is just a fun guy to be around. I have enjoyed covering his teams over the years as much as any squad.

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Speaking of legendary coaches, that certainly applies to the late Paul Webber.

Webber, a beloved Jackson High School coach in both football and wrestling, recently was recognized at the state wrestling tournament in Columbia for his induction into the Missouri Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Webber compiled a 118-17 dual-match record as Jackson's wrestling coach from 1970 through 1982. He led the Indians to the 1977 state championship while directing them to 16 district titles and 14 conference crowns.

On the gridiron, Webber went 130-71-2 at Jackson from 1969 through 1988 and led the school to its first state playoff berth in 1972. He later continued his success at Poplar Bluff -- his alma mater -- and led the Mules to an undefeated regular season in 1990.

Nic Antoine, who wrote the book "The Jackson Indians: 100 Years of Gridiron Glory," told the Southeast Missourian last year that Webber "was the most influential person in Jackson football history, without a doubt."

Webber, who played football at Southeast Missouri State, died in 1998. I had the privilege of covering his Jackson football teams from 1984 through 1988 and considered him not only one of the best coaches I've ever come across, but also among the best people I've ever encountered. He was just a joy to be around, with his gregarious personality and quick wit.

Being a member of the Missouri Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honor, and his daughter Julie Rush of Jackson told me he also will be inducted into the 2009 class of the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, which is another major honor.

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Congratulations to Southeast baseball coach Mark Hogan, who earlier this season reached another career milestone.

When the Redhawks beat nationally ranked Alabama on Feb. 22 in Tuscaloosa, it was Hogan's 800th victory spanning three schools.

Hogan is 811-613-3, including stops at Division II West Alabama and Lurleen B. Wallace Community College.

Hogan is 426-356-1 in his 15 seasons at Southeast and ranks as the program's all-time wins leader.

And Hogan's current group got off to a great start to Ohio Valley Conference play by sweeping a three-game series at Tennessee Tech over the weekend.

Southeast's pitching was impressive, after it had struggled for much of the season. If the Redhawks continue to be strong on the mound, then look out -- they've got one of the best lineups in school history.

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Also, kudos to Southeast gymnastics coach Tom Farden for being named Midwest Independent Conference coach of the year for the fourth consecutive time.

The Redhawks had a fantastic regular season and will find out today whether they qualified as a team for the NCAA South Central Region for the second straight year. They stand a good chance.

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The resurgent season for the Missouri basketball team just keeps getting better.

Sunday's win over Marquette -- what a thrilling game that was -- sends the Tigers to the Sweet 16 in their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2003.

What an incredible job third-year coach Mike Anderson has done in reviving a floundering program.

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Former Southeast women's basketball assistant Kevin Emerick's Jefferson College team fell one win short of the national junior college championship.

Jefferson, located in Hillsboro, Mo., lost to Central Arizona College 78-71 on Saturday night in Salina, Kan.

It was the first defeat of the season for Jefferson, which finished 34-1. Central Arizona ended the year 35-0.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian