Top-seeded Cubs turn back Puxico in Stoddard final

~ Bell City claimed the championship with a 73-58 victory.

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Bell City proved to be the heavyweight of the Stoddard County Activities Association with a 73-58 win over Puxico in the conference's tournament final Friday night at Bloomfield.

Six-foot-10 junior Will Bogan led Bell City with 24 points, while sophomore guard Nick Niemczyk added 21.

The Cubs, who were top seeded in the tournament, won the SCAA tourney for the second time in three years. They improved to 15-3 with their seventh consecutive victory.

Puxico, the No. 2 seed, kept the crowd in the game by blistering the nets on 8-for-12 shooting in the first quarter. The Indians built a 19-16 lead.

Bell City opened the second on a 8-0 run and never looked back.

Puxico was led by juniors Jonathan Helm and Cody Clark. Helm had 19 points, while Clark added 14. Puxico made five 3-pointers to Bell City's three.

While Puxico was never able to wrestle the lead away from Bell City, the Indians stayed within striking distance.

Two free throws by Helm with 2 minutes, 58 seconds remaining in the third cut the deficit to 47-42.

A 5-2 run to open the fourth -- which included two baskets by Helm and a free throw by Clark -- brought Puxico within 55-51, but Bell City outscored the Indians 18-7 over the rest of the way.

Bogan hauled down 16 rebounds to go along with his 24 points.

Jeff Liggins also ended up in double figures for Bell City with 12 points, including a 3-pointer. Niemczyk had the other two treys for the Cubs.

All-tournament team

Bell City's Niemezyk, Bogan, Blaine Stewart and Phillip Gross were selected to the 12-player All-Tournament team along with Advance's Jeremy Limbaugh.

Third-place game

Senior center James Masters hit a jumper in the lane with 15 seconds to play to lift No. 4 Advance to a 63-61 win over No. 3 Dexter in the third-place game.

Alex Steil scored 20 for the Hornets (11-5). Daryl Wade and Masters each scored 15 points. Wade had three 3-pointers.

Advance hit seven of nine free throws, while Dexter was 15 of 24 from the line.

For the Bearcats, senior Aaron Jackson knocked down a game-high 23, including six 3-pointers. Dexter had eight 3-pointers.

JV results

In junior varsity play, top-seeded Dexter claimed a 10th straight tournament title with a 69-47 win over No. 2 Advance.