November 24, 2007
SCC impressive in opener
New Madrid -- The Scott County Central Braves (1-0) opened their season in impressive fashion Friday night at the Riverbend Classic in New Madrid, as they went on to rout the West Memphis (Ark.) Blue Devils 87-64. This was Scott Central's first time participating in the "Rumble by the River". Before the game, head coach Ronnie Cookson, along with Scott County Central, was honored for their first appearance...
~Charleston opens the season with win over Byhalia, Miss.
New Madrid -- The Scott County Central Braves (1-0) opened their season in impressive fashion Friday night at the Riverbend Classic in New Madrid, as they went on to rout the West Memphis (Ark.) Blue Devils 87-64.
This was Scott Central's first time participating in the "Rumble by the River". Before the game, head coach Ronnie Cookson, along with Scott County Central, was honored for their first appearance.
Although the Blue Devils are an athletic team, the Braves were able to play their game and run the floor against them, getting the ball outside and utilizing their quickness to beat them to the basket.
The Braves defensive pressure was top notch as well. West Memphis was unable to get any rhythm going in their favor.
Scott Central jumped out early, taking a 8-0 lead, until the Blue Devils put a one spot on the board at the 5:31 mark in the first. That one point sparked a rally and the Blue Devils were able to get their first and only lead of the night, 13-12, with two minutes left in the first.
But, the Braves retaliated and finished the first quarter with a four point lead, 19-15.
Halfway into the second quarter, the Braves started using their full court press style defense and it was too much for West Memphis to handle. Scott Central put up 26 points in the second quarter, mostly from turnovers and missed shots by a tired West Memphis team due to the press.
The Braves were sitting comfortable going into half time, 45-28.
The third quarter was more of the same from Scott Central. West Memphis could not stop or even slow down the Braves. The third quarter ended with a score of 63-47.
The fourth quarter saw a small run by West Memphis getting within 13 points putting the score 68-55 at the 4:55 mark, but the Braves were just too much. They put 19 more points on the board in those four minutes, holding the Blue Devils to just nine more points after their run to close the game 87-64.
Leading the Braves was Drew Thomas and D.D. Gillespie who both finished the game with 25 points a piece. Thomas also pulled down 9 rebounds.
Caleb Johnson dropped 19 points and grabbed 6 rebounds as well.
Randy Timmons added 6 points and 5 rebounds. Bobby Hatchett scored 5 and had 4 rebounds. Mark Freed scored 4 points and Toby Heeb added 3.
Tarvin Gaines led the Blue Devils with 15 points. Rikendal Weast added 14 along with Justin Smith who had 12.
Both Scott Central and West Memphis played again Saturday in the Riverbend Classic. You can read the results in Monday's edition of the Standard Democrat.
The Charleston Bluejays (1-0) started their season off on the right foot Friday night, defeating the Byhalia Indians 67-54.
The inside presence of Brian Parham proved too much for the Indians to handle. He had 18 points and 7 rebounds. Antonio Riggins and Donald Dixon were threats as well both adding 16 points a piece. Dixon pulled down 4 rebounds, while Riggins had 2 boards, along with 4 assists.
Joshua Rodgers led the Indians with 17 points. Mario Parker and Cortney Warren both added 8 points a piece.
Charleston and Byhalia both played again in the Riverbend Classic Saturday. You can read the results in Monday's edition of the Standard Democrat.
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