Delta ends Bravettes season at sectional

POPLAR BLUFF -- The Scott Central Bravettes looked as if they were about to pull off a major upset Tuesday evening, as they took to the court against the state-ranked Delta Lady Bobcats.

For the first two quarters of the ballgame, the Bravettes stayed within striking distance of the Lady Bobcats, as they trailed by just two after the first quarter, 9-7. Brianna Johnson racked up five points for Scott Central in the first eight minutes.

In the second quarter, Delta pulled out to an six point lead, as Sarah Keys stole the ball and drove the length of the floor for the basket. Around four minutes later, with 1:14 left to play in the half, Markita Mosley knocked down two free throws cutting the lead to one, 16-15. From there, the Lady Bobcats controlled the rest of the first half, as Taylor Smith knocked down a jumper followed by a 3-pointer at the top of the key for Brittni Deprow, beating the buzzer.

At the break, Delta led 22-15.

Coming out of halftime, Smith took command of the game for the Lady Bobcats, accumulating seven points on three field goals and a free throw. Johnson tried to answer for Scott Central, but could only come up with four points, as Delta extended their lead to 36-25 going into the final eight minutes.

In the fourth quarter, Johnson once again led in scoring for the Bravettes, piling in six points, including back-to-back baskets on consecutive steals. However, Smith and Alison Burger each scored four points, while Deprow was steady from beyond the arc connecting on two attempts, and the Lady Bobcats cruised to victory 52-34.

"It was such a rocky season," said Scott Central head coach Semona Penrod. "Somebody was asking me about our team, and I told them it was kind of like starting all over. We've had so many kids that had injuries that have been out all season, that it was kind of like coaching a new team the last couple of games."

Penrod went on to say that it was hard to come up with a steady lineup throughout the entire season as injuries plagued the club for nearly all 23 games.

Johnson led all Bravettes in scoring with 15 points. She also pulled down eight rebounds and had five steals. Mosley chipped in with eight rebounds in the loss.

Penrod said that the chances for victory were laid out for her team to grab, but that they just couldn't manage to pull it together when they needed to. "Delta came out cold, which gave us an opportunity to get in there and do something," Penrod added. "We didn't respond to it. We just stayed right there with them. In the second half they (Delta) just came out hitting everything."

Scott Central will lose seven players to graduation this year, including Johnson. The Bravettes wrap up the season with an overall record of 10-13 and a district title.

For the Lady Bobcats, now 23-2, Smith was the leading scorer with 16 points. "Taylor (Smith) is a hard worker," said Delta head coach Randy White of his sophomore guard. "She's one of the kids that penetrates for us. She's a smart ballplayer, and really is a heady ballplayer."

Keys and Deprow recorded nine points apiece. Keys also had five rebounds and three steals, while Jodi Menz pulled down eight rebounds and blocked three shots.

"At times I thought we played well," said Delta head coach Randy White. "I thought the kids moved the ball well and they were really aggressive taking it to the basket. We're just glad to be taking a road trip."

The road trip White was discussing is the trip to the quarterfinals where they will meet up with the winner of the Bradleyville and Exeter game, which was postponed due to weather, and rescheduled for tonight. The quarterfinal contest will be played at the West Plains Civic Center on Saturday at 1 p.m. with the winner advancing to the Final Four in Columbia.