C1D2 BKB: SCC rallies for 73-65 win over Delta

Scott County Central won 72-65 over Delta in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 1, District 2 Tournament at Richland High School on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024.

Jacob Blassingame ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian

ESSEX, Mo. — Despite missing key players, Scott County Central refused to go down without a fight, pulling off a thrilling 72-65 victory over Delta in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 1, District 2 Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

"We knew we were walking into this one with a short bench,” said SCC coach Tim Carlisle. “ So our younger players got to see a lot of action in practice this week. We didn’t hit the glass hard in the first half and it didn’t look promising in the second half either, but Namarius Banks was able to get to the rim at will. Zavior Mize and Cameron Bean shoot it well, Courtney Sanders III was able to put in a few buckets late to really help and Brandon Bean who hasn’t played much varsity this season saw the floor quite a bit.”

The sixth-seeded Bobcats (7-19) led 32-28 at halftime and 53-46 after three quarters, putting the third-seeded Braves (13-14) in a tough spot.

Scott County Central's Namarius Banks-Warren (11) dribbles during a 72-65 win over Delta in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 1, District 2 Tournament at Richland High School on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024.

Jacob Blassingame ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian

However, Zavior Mize and Cameron Bean sparked a comeback with their outside shooting, while Courtney Sanders III delivered crucial buckets in the clutch.

SCC stormed back in the fourth quarter, outscoring Delta 25-12 to secure the impressive win.

Five players combined for all of the Braves scoring, led by Banks-Warren's 26 points,

SCC now faces a tough test against second-seeded Richland (20-7) in their semifinal matchup on Thursday, Feb. 22.

SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL 72, DELTA 65

Delta (65) — Paxton Hornbuckle 29, Ryan Jeffries 18, Bryce Cox 10, Skylar Vandever 3, Coleton Deckard 3, Rylen Huffman 2. FG 22. FT: 14-22. F: 14. (3-pointers: Hornbuckle 4, Jeffries 3. Fouled out: None.)

Scott County Central (71) — Namarius Banks-Warren 26, Zavior Mize 15, Cameron Bean 14, Courtney Sanders III 10, Ty Murray 8. FG: 29. FT: 8-20. F: 17. (3-pointers: Mize 4, Bean 3. Fouled out: Brandon Bean.)