Braves dunk the Indians

NEW MADRID -- With the help of a late fourth quarter dunk, the Scott County Central Braves were able to squeak by the Byhalia Indians in the first round of the Riverbend Classic at New Madrid County Central High School on Friday night.

With 3:41 left in the fourth quarter, Byhalia's Kenyatta Jones tied the game with a 3-point basket. Just soon after that, Josh Rodgers received a dish and laid it in to give the Indians a 66-64 lead.

With the clock hitting the 2:30 mark, Scott Central's Drew Thomas tied the game back up at 66 points a piece. Then, Bobby Hatchett gave the Braves a 2-point lead again when he received an assist from Des Williams in the paint to lay it in.

As Byhalia tried to move the ball up the floor to tie the game again, Otto Porter stepped into a passing lane and picked off a pass in front of the basket. Porter then slung the ball down floor to an awaiting Thomas, who then gathered up momentum and brought the crowd to their feet with a one-handed jam to give the Braves a four point lead with 1:44 left in regulation.

The Braves went on to outscore Byhalia 7-4 from that point on, which was capped off by another dunk from Thomas to hold on for their first win of the season, 77-70.

Braves head coach Ronnie Cookson said that we was proud of the win and thought that everyone played well, but thought that his team never did get into any kind of rhythm throughout the game.

"We played way too tight," he said. "We never did get uncoiled. Maybe it was them (Byhalia) that caused that but, we just didn't get it going."

Scott Central held the lead for most of the game except for late in the fourth quarter and once in the third quarter when Courtney Warren sank a 3-pointer with 2:25 left to make it a 53-52 game.

Cookson said that since this was their first game, nerves might have come into play.

"I think that it was, I really do," Cookson said about having first game jitters. "It's tough to play a team that has already played six or seven games. They've already been on the floor and their nervousness is out."

Thomas led all scorers with 30 points, while Porter was the second-leading scorer with 18 points. Porter was all around the basket as he controlled the boards for the Braves. He recorded a double-double in the first half with 12 points and 12 rebounds. He finished the game with a total of 17 rebounds.

Williams ended up with 14 points and five rebounds, Hatchett scored 12 points and had five assists and five rebounds while Randy Timmons chipped in with 11 rebounds and two points.

"I think they all played well," said Cookson. "The bench came out and played real good and helped rest everybody. I think they all did a good job.

"We got a long way to improve," he added. "We've got to get in to better shape."

The Indians were led by Warren's 14 points. Mario Parker, Cornelius Blackmon and Jones each added 13 points, respectively. Jones and Teddrick Moore each came down with eight rebounds as well.

"Byhalia has got a good basketball team," Cookson said. "They can flat shoot that thing from the outside."

Byhalia hit nine 3-pointers in the contest with Warren connecting for four and Jones hitting three.

Both Byhalia and Scott Central played in the second round of the Riverbend Classic on Saturday. Details from those games will be in the Monday edition of the Standard Democrat.