March 12, 2014
More cohesive, focused Braves team return to state
sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Last season, they didn't have the team to do it. That's not saying the talent wasn't there or the right personnel wasn't in place. But as a unit, the Scott County Central Braves weren't as cohesive as needed if they wanted to raise their fifth consecutive state championship banner...
By Chris Pobst - Standard Democrat
sports@standard-democrat.com
SIKESTON -- Last season, they didn't have the team to do it.
That's not saying the talent wasn't there or the right personnel wasn't in place. But as a unit, the Scott County Central Braves weren't as cohesive as needed if they wanted to raise their fifth consecutive state championship banner.
Coming together as a team and making sure their bond was strong both on and off the court was an important step for them this season. It's gotten the Braves just two wins away from hoisting another state championship - something they've done four times the previous five seasons.
On Thursday Scott Central will take on Stanberry during the Class 1 semifinals at 3:20 p.m. at Mizzou Arena in Columbia as part of the 2014 MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown.
"This year we're closer, we talk on the court and we're not really arguing with each other," Scott Central senior Cameron Blissett said. "Being around teammates helps your chemistry out there on the court. I believe it has a lot. It's helped us become better basketball players."
A year ago the Braves were handed their first postseason loss since 2008. Scott Central's 65-55 quarterfinal loss to the eventual Class 1 state champion Eminence Redwings broke a playoff streak of 29 consecutive wins.
It was a loss that Scott County Central, winners of a state record 16 championships, rarely see. Much less want to be a part of.
"These guys have seen teams go to state every year since they were in junior high," Scott Central head coach Frank Staple said. "Last year was kind of a shock and nobody wants to be that group that ends the streak. It's inevitable that it's going to happen but they took it to heart and they've worked from the moment that we lost last year to Eminence. They got together and said they weren't going to let it happen again."
The biggest problem a season ago was a lack of maturity and team-ball, according to Staple. He said his players made the mistake of riding on what previous teams before them accomplished rather than focus on the challenges of repeating as the four-time state champions they were.
"I think this year its a sense of urgency and a sense of maturity," Staple said. "They realized that they're going to get everybody's best shot every night and they're not going to win just because you have SCC on that jersey. It took them a minute to realize that and that they have to earn everything that you achieve."
This crop of Braves make up the majority that lost Scott Central's first playoff game in five years. They have returned with more focus and a hunger for making their mark.
"They haven't taken anything for granted or overlooked anybody," said Staple. "They gelled together as a team and I think that might be the biggest difference -- the cohesiveness and the togetherness and the maturity level."
That mindset begins with senior Larandis Banks.
Banks has always been one of the Braves' more talented players, but the senior has seen his share of troubles. He was absent from the team for a brief stint during midseason a year ago and rejoined the team before districts.
"He's grown up a lot," Staple said about Banks. "That's the thing about teenagers you have to keep working with them and never give up on them. He's responded this year to all the challenges we've thrown at him. His good days far outweigh the bad ones. He's grown up a lot and that's going to help him on the next level."
Only to add to the mix, Banks was stunned to find out before this season that his playing days were in jeopardy due to a heart complication. The senior missed his team's first four games and most of the summer and preseason activities before returning against Advance Dec. 17, 2013 and scoring 12 points in his debut.
"There's been a lot (of change) since last year," Cameron Blissett said about Banks. "Ever since then he's been grateful that he even got to play this year. Most kids don't get a second chance with his heart problem and it was to a point where he wasn't going to play. Him being back on the court changed a lot for him. He has a good attitude - way better attitude - and is just happy to be here."
With medication and regular check-ups, Banks is able to play without worries.
"It means a lot," Banks said about being able to play and returning to the state semifinals. "I just want to go out my senior year with a championship and raising that banner in the gym."
Bringing the team, who have shared the court for quite some time now, together was also a goal for Banks.
"This group gets closer all the time," he said. "We always played against each other when we were younger and the chemistry is better."
The Braves feature a cast of players who, like their goal, make a formidable, dynamic team.
Banks leads them in scoring with 18 points a game. Fellow seniors Juwan Owens and Cameron Blissett are consistently in the scoring column or spearhead their potent defensive attack. Another senior, Kendall Blissett, as well as juniors Matthew Blissett and Javonta Daniel, play much bigger than their 6-0 to 6-3 frames suggest giving their vertically-challenged team a presence around the basket.
Then there's the promising sophomore Jeffery Porter. The younger brother of the Washington Wizards' third overall pick, Otto Porter Jr., has emerged as one of the Braves' top scoring threats as well as stabilizing the point guard position.
"Jeffery has been huge for us," Banks said. "When I was out (to start the season) he took over and that's what we asked of him. We put the ball in his hands and tell him to make plays and that's what he does."
Porter, who is second in scoring with a 14.7 point per game average and shares the lead in rebounds (5.4), started as a freshman and continues to be Scott Central's top playmaker.
"Starting as a freshman is always difficult," Staple said about Porter. "There's a lot of pressure on him because of who he is, what his last name is and because of who his brother is. But, we don't put that pressure on him. We just ask him to be who he is and play. He's grown and he's going to be a heck of a player."
Scott Central's first test back on the big stage will be the Stanberry Bulldogs.
Making its second straight trip to the semifinals, Stanberry (26-1) were last year's Class 1 runner-ups and have won their last 24 games. Their only loss was a 59-52 defeat to Albany (16-9) on Dec. 7 during the championship game of the Albany tournament. They've since beaten Albany twice.
Stanberry has also been in the last two 8-man state football championships winning one in 2012.
The Bulldogs have made their living this season with an inside game not seen much in Class 1. They feature the tandem of 6-4, duel-threat sophomore Daniel Haley and 6-7 center Ryan Jensen. Hailey leads the team in scoring with an average just south of 15 points a game. Jensen's 6-7 frame has been hard to stop this winter adding another 14 points and 7.9 rebounds a contest.
"We have to keep their big kid contained, box him out and make sure he doesn't get the ball too much," Cameron Blissett said. "He comes up to the high post a lot and we have cut that off and keep him contained mostly."
How will the Braves combat the height of Stanberry?
"We have to run those legs off and that's kind of our plan - make it a full court game - and tire them out," Staple said. "If we can do that we should be in a good position and hopefully leads to a victory."
Much of the defensive load will land on the committee of Kendall Blissett, Matthew Blissett and Javonta Daniel. Their jobs will be to contain the inside presence of Jensen and Hailey.
"They get in their with heart, use their speed and quickness and use what they do have," Staple said about his inside guys. "We don't have size but we have speed and they've done a good job at that. We've had pretty good success when it comes to battling size."
Stanberry's outside threats are Alex McQuinn and Isaac Heddinger. McQuinn, who averages 10.3 points a game, leads the team in 3-pointers made and hits them at a 37 percent clip. Heddinger, their point guard, adds seven points, five assists and four rebounds a contest.
If Scott Central were to win its semifinal game, they will play either Macks Creek (24-5) or Meadville (24-3) at 12:50 p.m. on Saturday at Mizzou Arena.
"We want to pressure the guards from the outside and make it hard for them to see on the inside," Banks said. "I think as long as we keep running the floor and pressuring on defense we'll be fine."
Returning to Mizzou's home floor will no doubt be a homecoming of sorts for many of Scott Central's players. It will also be a welcomed sight to Staple, who's last visit to Columbia was as an assistant coach under former Scott Central head coach Kenyon Wright.
Staple is in his second year as Scott Central's head coach after assisting on three of their last four state championship teams. Just as his players have the pressures of succeeding like those of years past, Staple too falls under that umbrella of the expectation of winning at Scott Central.
"I'm excited and it's a blessing," he said. "After last year I think I was the hardest on myself. I've grown as well. I think experience and I've had coach (Fred) Johnson here and he has done so much to help me. I just thank God. It's going to be a special time for me.
"I'm blessed to be at a place like Scott Central with such a tradition. To be able to take them back is an honor."
Stanberry (26-1)
Head coach: Nick Groomer
No. Name Pos. Gr. Ht.
5 __Alex McQuinn__ G So. 6-1
11 Cole Craig G Fr. 5-7
13 Preston Aye G So. 5-9
15 Cory Luke G Fr. 6-0
21 Shelby McMillen C So. 6-2
23 __Isaac Heddinger__ G Jr. 6-0
25 __Nathan Luke__ G Sr. 5-10
31 __Ryan Jenson__ C Sr. 6-7
35 __Daniel Hailey__ F So. 6-4
41 Dustin Ellis F Jr. 6-2
43 Nic Shanks G Jr. 5-10
45 Trent McQueen F So. 6-0
51 Tristin Stoll G Fr. 5-7
53 Tyler Hunter F Fr. 6-0
55 Quentin Nielson F Jr. 6-4
Scott County Central (24-5)
Head coach: Frank Staple
No. Name Pos. Gr. Ht.
3 __Juwan Owens__ G Sr. 6-0
4 Trevion Moore G Jr. 5-9
5 __Larandis Banks__ G Sr. 6-0
10 __Jeffery Porter__ G So. 6-0
20 __Kendall Blissett__ F Sr. 6-3
23 Javonta Daniel F Jr. 6-2
24 __Cameron Blissett__ G Sr. 5-11
30 Matthew Blissett F Jr. 6-2
34 Drake Kesler G Jr. 5-10
40 Tyreek Williams F Sr. 5-10
__Bold__ -- Predicted Starters
Statistical Leaders __Stanberry__ -- Daniel Hailey: 14.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.4 spg. Ryan Jensen: 14.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 5.4 bpg. __SCC__ -- Larandis Banks: 18 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 spg. Jeffery Porter: 14.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.0 spg.
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