This Scott County battle was worth the wait
It's not often an event lives up to the kind of hype generated before Wednesday's game between Scott County Centrall and Sikeston.
This time, it did.
Yes, the build-up was over the top. The face painting, the photo booths, the guest appearances. It sounded like a circus, and it stillhad a circus-like feel to it.
But my biggest worry — that the events surrounding the game would turn more interesting than the game itself — didn't happen.
And that was a good thing for all of us, including the fans and the teams.
The final 15 seconds, waiting for Scott County Central to respond to Michael Porter's final two points of the game, might have been the most intense 15 seconds of any game this year. With almost 7,000 people in a sold-out Show Me Center watching, it felt like a state championship game without the trophies.
The only disappointment is that the two teams won't play again this year with the same talent on the floor. Sikeston walked away as the best team Wednesday, but if the two sides played 10 times this year, would Sikeston win 10 times? Or five? Or one?
Even more immediate: the playoffs. The one thing that could make Wednesday's game even more of an event would be if Scott County Central and Sikeston both bring championships back home. After Wednesday, it's hard to count out either one of them.
5 comments:
Both teams are very evenly matched. But they won't play 10 times or even twice. They played once and Sikeston won, therefore, Sikeston is the better team. They made the plays down the stretch and didn't panic when they were down, something you can attribute to the tough competition they've played this year. SCC didn't handle the late-game situation well. Both teams will get better from playing in this game.
Having watched the game the other night, I think it is better to say that Sikeston was the better team that night. I have a feeling that the two would go back and forth in a NBA 7-game series. It would probably go 6 or 7 games.
As a huge Sikeston fan, I have nothing but great respect for Coach Cookson and the Braves team. Neither team was a loser in this game. These teams are so evenly matched its scary. I think they could play a 100 games and they would probably split those. Great game by both teams!
I think the SEMO area is way down this year. Think about it this way. There have been some GREAT teams come out of this area in the last several years, like Poplar Bluff with the Hansbroughs, or the Derek Tipler NMCC teams, or Notre Dame the last couple years. I'd even throw in Charleston's run with Jemarcus Williams and company, or perhaps Brett Hale's teams at Dexter. All of those teams with the exception of Dexter (couldn't get past NMCC) were state champions. I don't think Sikeston is in that category. They are a very good team, but they aren't a great team.
My point is I don't think SCC is a great team either. They are going to win the 1A state title, but they are not as good as people think they are. They just play a soft schedule, and that isn't their fault. They are a 1A team and everybody they play that is normally good (Charleston and New Madrid for example) just aren't that good this year.
I think SCC will win state. I think Sikeston will make a good showing at the Final Four. Good luck to both teams!
totally agree and couldn't have said it any better. Although I think Sikeston's road to the final four will definitely be ALOT more difficult.
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