Turns out Scott County Central might be as good as advertised.

The team Jefferson upended in last year's semifinal blasted its way into the 14th championship game in school history with a dominant effort against overmatched Glasgow. Using a basic rotation of only five players, the Braves showed exactly why they have been an overwhelming force all year.

Scott County Central (28-2) plays HDC Conference champion Newtown-Harris (29-1) in Saturday afternoon's championship game. The Braves are unquestioned favorite, needing a win to finish off an amazing run.

"I don't think there's no pressure," junior point guard Bobby Hatchett said. "We just have to go out and play a regular game."

Scott County Central's two losses came to large-school Memphis Central (Tenn.) and a one-point defeat to geographical rival Sikeston, a Class 4 quarterfinalist.

With an extremely efficient offense against Glasgow, four players tallied double figures for the Braves, who shot 50 percent from the field. Senior Drew Thomas led the attack with 31 points, and he hit his 9 of 13 shots in the first half. Thomas' 21 points helped Scott County Central to a 43-28 halftime lead.

Glasgow, behind 30-point-per-game scorer Jay Lee, closed the Braves' lead to 36-26 at one point after the second of Lee's two first-half 3-pointers. Scott County Central then finished the half on a 7-2 run.

The Braves never trailed and the final score represented their largest lead.

Lee finished with 21, closing him to within 29 points of becoming the sixth 3,000-point scorer in Missouri history.

"We had some things we wanted to do in this game," Glasgow coach Mick Cropp said. "Take care of the ball was one; 27 turnovers, that's not getting the job done. Keeping them off the glass; 19 offensive rebounds, not getting the job done. We didn't shoot a good percentage, and they just make you pay for every single mistake you make."

Scott County Central's 6-foot-7 sophomore Otto Porter added 17 points and 13 rebounds, one of three starters to record a double-double. The Braves came in averaging 85.1 points per game, and their five starters provided 74.

Despite Scott County Central coach Ronnie Cookson's insistence of Glasgow's overall talent, his Braves made it look easy, and despite a never-in-doubt result, their championship foe has a lot to worry about.

"We sure did not play the way we we are capable of playing," Cookson said.