Scott City has too many weapons in victory over Oran

ORAN -- The Scott City Rams thoroughly outplayed the host Oran Eagles in a Scott-Mississippi County Conference matchup on Friday.

Scott City (1-1, 1-0 in conference) defeated Oran 80-66.

"They looked like they wanted it more than we did," said Oran coach Denver Stuckey. "That's what upsets me. A Friday night home game--a team that is starting to develop a little bit of (fan) support, just to come out here and lay an egg. That's the most frustrating."

Oran (4-2, 0-1) and riding a four-game win streak had no answers for the inside-outside game of Scott City.

The Rams' 6-foot-5 post Alex King dominated the inside early in the third quarter with 10 of his 18 points, then guard Jay Simmons took over, hitting four shots from beyond the arc in the second half.

Simmons, a transfer from Notre Dame last season, knocked down seven treys on the evening to score a game-high 31 points, 19 in the second half. He also had eight rebounds and six assists.

"Jay (Simmons) really stepped up and showed what kind of player he is," said Scott City coach Lance Amick. "He nearly had a triple double."

King completed a double-double with 11 rebounds.

Stuckey said, of Simmons' performance, "He had some open looks, but a lot of times they were difficult shots and he knocked 'em down."

Oran trailed 19-15 after the first quarter, then 34-24 at the half.

Chase Seyer kept the Eagles in the game with 14 first-half points on 7-of-7 shooting from the floor. He finished with a team-high 19. After hitting his first shot of the second half, however, Seyer cooled to score only three the remainder of the game.

Kody Campbell added 17, 11 in the fourth period, Cody Romas 11 and Robert Lange 10 for the Eagles.

Scott City, coming off a disappointing opening night blowout loss to Class 2 Saxony Lutheran, outscored the Eagles 27-18 in the third quarter to take a commanding 61-42 lead.

"All week in practice, I told them that Scott City, with their tradition and what they've accomplished over the years, when they lose a game that they probably felt like they shouldn't have lost, they're going to come out like wildfire.

"They just came in and out-physicalled us all over the place."

Amick was especially proud of the way his team handled itself in the aftermath of losing starting point guard Ethan Watkins this week. Watkins, a junior and also the starting quarterback of the Rams football team, reportedly has transferred to Bell City.

"We had a lot of stuff happen to us this week and the kids responded the only way they can, through the game," said Amick. "There were contributions everywhere. It was a total team effort and that's what we've been stressing. They enjoyed themselves and competed hard tonight.

"Just a lot of contributions and a lot of guys playing their part for a total team win."

Among those contributions was a 13-point night from Jamie Pinkston, nine rebounds from Rynn Eskew and the second-half defensive effort of Travis Scherer on Seyer.

Stuckey credited the Rams' intensity and the Eagles lack of same for the final result.

"Our intensity wasn't very good and it showed tonight," he said. "Obviously, if we don't pick it up, some other teams can do this to us."

Added Stuckey, "When you play hard, things go your way. Every bounce went their way because they earned it. When you straight outplay your opponent, things go your way. We weren't any match for them tonight."

Scott City won the junior varsity game, 61-49. Mac McConnell and Kurt Rendleman led the Eagles with 18 and 16 points, respectively.

Cody Page topped the Rams with 19, followed by Josh Henson's 16, 11 from Shae Simmons and 10 from Jacob Campbell.

Next up for Oran is a Tuesday home game against the East Prairie Eagles. Scott City visits South Pemiscot, also on Tuesday.