South Callaway boys top SMC foe Fatima

Senior guard Cory Hanger directed four players in double figures and the Bulldogs kept themselves in contention for a Show-Me Conference title with Thursday night's 77-66 win over the Comets.

South Callaway fashioned a 21-14 lead after one quarter and stretched its advantage to 42-29 at halftime. The Bulldogs (19-2, 6-1 SMC) were in front 62-46 to start the fourth quarter.

South Callaway's lone conference loss came in a 50-47 setback at Linn on Jan. 22.

"This game (Thursday night) keeps us in the running for the championship in a very competitive conference," Bulldogs head coach Tony Brandt said. "Eugene, Linn, Fatima and us are all still at the top, with several conference games coming in the next two weeks."

Hanger tallied a game-high 24 points to lead South Callaway, followed by senior guard Troy Hentges with 14. Senior guards Dax Helsel and Terry Miles added 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Senior forward Jacob Smith pulled down a team-high seven rebounds, while Hanger, Hentges and Helsel each had five. Helsel and Smith both passed out six assists.

"This was our best win of the season," Brandt said. "Beating a team like Fatima on the road is very tough to do. Our kids played with great energy, both offensively and defensively. We really seem to be clicking on offense and hope this carries us through the month of February.

"I still think we have yet to see our best game, which may not be a bad thing. I think teams can peak too early, but I feel our best basketball is still in front of us."

Jared Schulte paced Fatima with 22 points and Nolan Huot contributed 14.

The Bulldogs suffered a 60-40 loss in the junior varsity contest. Freshman guard Dylan Lepper logged a team-high nine points, while sophomore guard Brandon Ashley and freshman guard Kaden Helsel chipped in with eight apiece.

South Callaway doesn't play again until it travels to Hallsville for a non-conference matchup at 5:30 p.m. Friday.