SCC slips by NMCC on controversial game-winner

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- What looked to be a possible rout by halftime turned into a fight to the finish for Scott County Central Thursday as they celebrated senior night against New Madrid County Central.

A one-time, 14-point lead had completely vanished in the final minute of the game as the Eagles atoned for a rough first two quarters.

In the end, it was a questionable buzzer-beater by senior Matt Blissett that handed the Braves a 52-50 win in their final game before the postseason.

"New Madrid is such a good team we just wanted to come in and see if we could stay on the court with them," Scott Central head coach Frank Staple said. "Obviously everyone has some rust from the snow, but I was very proud of our effort tonight. The boys listened, did what they had to do and we were able to pull out a close one."

Trailing by 12 points, 32-20, after a poor shooting first half, the Eagles opened up the third quarter hitting five of their first seven shots to start digging out of their hole.

A 7-0 run in the final four minutes of the quarter closed NMCC (20-4) within four and with 1:46 left in regulation they pulled within a point, 50-49.

Scott Central (20-4) called a timeout and tried to kill the remaining clock, but with 34 seconds remaining, NMCC senior Asten Newsom picked up a steal after a Scott Central turnover. Newsom was fouled on the potential go-ahead shot and hit his first free throw to tie the game.

"We got after it," NMCC head coach Travis Day said of the comeback. "We weren't passive and got to attacking. We got to playing good, hard defense. When we got out and got attacking and playing good defense we got back in the game quick. But against good teams you can't dig yourself a 14-point hole."

Scott County Central's Javonta Daniel attempts a shot against New Madrid County Central Thursday at Scott County Central High School. (Chris Pobst photo)

A miss on the second shot gave the Braves the rebound and a chance to call timeout to set up a final play.

After working the ball up the court and killing some clock, Scott Central junior Jeffery Porter set up shop near the top of the arc, where he was heavily defended. Porter sent a wide pass to Tre Moore on the left sideline, near the Braves bench.

Moore drove near the baseline before passing between a pair of defenders to Blissett in the paint. Blissett got an off-balanced shot off that found it's mark as the buzzer sounded.

It appeared the ball was still Blissett's hand as the final buzzer went off. A conference ensued with the referees, who awarded Blissett the basket and the Braves the win.

"We just wanted to spread the floor, work some clock and then let Jeffery make a play," Staple said of the final play. "It just worked out where Matthew was able to get a pass and put it in right before the buzzer."

Though the outcome wasn't in his favor, Day was pleased with how his team played on the last possession and almost forced overtime.

"We went zone to try and give them something different to look at and make it hard for them," Day said. "We were playing solid. That last shot was a shot at the buzzer and it goes in. There's nothing you can do about it. We don't have instant replay to go look at the cameras. All you can do is take it and go on."

With their final shot the Braves were able to hold off an Eagle comeback that included a 30-20 edge in second half scoring while NMCC shot 12 of 22 (55 percent) from the field in the final two quarters.

This is in stark contrast to the Eagles' first half, where they opened the game hitting only one of their first seven shots and 7 of 26 (27 percent) overall from the floor.

New Madrid County Central's Javarcus Word (22) attempts a layup against Scott County Central Thursday at Scott County Central High School. Scott Central's Drake Kesler trails the play. (Chris Pobst photo)

At the same time the Braves hit on 11 of 22 (50 percent) in the first half, led by Javonta Daniels' nine points. Scott Central opened the second quarter on a 12-2 run and led by as many as 14 points with 3:18 left before halftime.

"We just tried to focus on defense and trying to keep their guards out of the lane while being strong and rebounding," Staple said of the first half. "I thought we did a good job of that overall the first half. We've been trying to get better defensively and they took a strep forward tonight."

Leading the Braves to close out the regular season was Blissett, whose 16 points were a game-high. Daniel and Porter scored 13 points each.

For NMCC, Jimerson scored 14 points and Mikeal Walker added 10 points to the cause. Drew Palmer and Newsom scored eight points each.

Scott Central was able to keep Jimerson out of a rhythm most of the night, holding him to just five points in the second half and none in the fourth. Of his 14 points, seven came in the second quarter.

As a team, the Eagles shot 19 of 48 (40 percent) on the game compared to the Braves' 21 of 44 (48 percent) effort.

"That first half was not telling of us," Day said. "We came out to a slow start and stood around. That's kind of being off for awhile (because of the weather), but that's not an excuse. You still have to come and be ready to play."

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NMCC 12 8 16 14 -- 50

SCC 16 16 8 12 -- 52

NMCC (50) -- Willie Jimerson 14, Mikeal Walker 10, Javarcus Word 6, Chris Farr 1, Drew Palmer 8, Asten Newsom 8, Deon Jenkins 1. FG 19, FT 7-11, F 17. (3-pointers: Jimerson 1, Palmer 2. Fouled out: none.)

SCOTT CENTRAL (52) -- Garrett Burchard 2, Drake Kesler 5, Jeffery Porter 13, Tre Moore 3, Javonta Daniel 13, Matt Blissett 16. FG 21, FT 8-15, F 12. (3-pointers: Kesler 1, Moore 1. Fouled out: none.)