Porter sinks game-winner, Scott Central defeats Covington 71-69

sports@standard-democrat.com

NEW MADRID -- After trailing the entire first half, the Scott County Central Braves showed once again it's not how you start, but how you finish.

Taking on Covington, Tenn., on the second day of the Riverbend Classic, the Braves rode a hot second half to a 71-69 win over the Chargers that was sealed with a game-winning shot from junior Jeffery Porter.

"I think Covington has a lot to do with that (slow start)," Scott Central head coach Frank Staple said. "Those guys are quick and I think they just overwhelmed us a little bit. We knew we were going to have to settle down and weather the storm to give ourselves a chance."

A 15-2, game-opening run by the Chargers kept their lead in double-digits for most of the first half with the Braves burning several timeouts to try and right the ship.

Scott Central trailed by as many as 16 points, 28-12, midway through the second quarter before shifting momentum in their favor.

A 3-pointer from Tre Moore with 4:17 left in the half was the starting point as the Braves went on a three-minute, 12-2 run. The two swapped baskets in the final minutes to leave Scott Central trailing 32-26 at the break.

"Covington is an outstanding team," Staple said. "We came out and dug ourselves a hole. We just told the kids to keep fighting and stay solid."

Scott Central stayed on the attack, outscoring the Chargers 23-18 in the third quarter to close within one. They took their first lead since the game's opening minute when Matt Blissett hit a layup with 6:01 to play to make it 54-52.

Blissett's basket was part of a rally where Scott Central scored 11-straight points in just over two minutes to pull ahead 60-52 with 4:56 to play.

Covington spent the rest of the fourth quarter chasing the lead and with 1:23 remaining, Bobby Shanks hit a 3-pointer to bring the Chargers within a possession, 69-66.

Several missed opportunities by the Braves over the next minute allowed Covington's Malcolm Taylor to hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 11.9 seconds to play before his team immediately called a timeout to set up their defense.

Following the timeout, Scott Central made good on their last possession driving down the court where Porter put in the game-winner with 3.3 seconds remaining.

Porter's shot came after he nearly lost control while driving toward the rim with the Charger's triple-teaming him. After a few near strips, Porter regained control and put up a contested shot close to the rim that drew a foul in the process.

Porter's shot was good, but the ensuing free throw rimmed off, allowing the Chargers a desperation heave at the buzzer that fell short.

"We've been in that situation before," Staple said of the last possession. "Matter of fact down here last year I think we were in that situation. Just put the ball in your best players hands and let him make a play. He got a little lucky there, but we just wanted to give him the ball and make him put pressure on the defense, drive straight at them and he did. It worked out for us."

Porter finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists while Javonta Daniel had a team-high 24 points on 12 of 18 shooting as well as five rebounds. Blissett finished with 15 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds

For Covington, Taylor's 25 points were a game-high and Shanks pitched in 15 points.

SCOTT CENTRAL (71) -- Drake Kesler 3, Jeffery Porter 15, Tre Moore 8, Javonta Daniel 24, Matt Blissett 15, Skylar Lemmons 6. FG 30 FT 4-16 F 10. (3-pointers: Kesler 1, Moore 2, Daniel 2, Lemons 2. Fouled out: none.)

COVINGTON (69) -- Jalen Clayon 7, MJ Taylor 6, Reginald Holmes 3, Trevon Williams 3, Malcolm Taylor 25, Bobby Shanks 15, Kaleb Estes 5, TJ Miller 3, Foster 2. FG 28 FT 7-10 F 19. (3-pointers: Clayton 1, Williams 1, Taylor 1, Shanks 2, Estes 1. Fouled out: none.)