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Blackwell joins MBCA Hall of Fame (5/2/24)The Missouri Basketball Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame induction last weekend was the culmination of countless hours spent on and off the hardwood for former Doniphan and Eminence head coach Jimbo Blackwell. “Personally, it means so much to me. It was unexpected,” Blackwell said. “It is not something I ever would have thought I would receive. It just means a lot. I get to have my family with me … my kids and grandkids.”...
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BREAKING: Drew Church resigns as Cape Central basketball head coach (4/26/24)The Southeast Missourian learned on Friday that longtime Cape Central Tigers head coach Drew Church is resigning following a 19-9 season in 2023-24. While Church resigns from his role as head basketball coach, he will remain as assistant principal. Church began his tenure as head coach of the Tigers back in 2006 and racked up 341 wins during his tenure...
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Fred Garmon is new Hayti AD (4/26/24)Kennett High School class of 2011 grad and former Indians basketball head coach Fred Garmon confirmed Friday that he accepted the Athletic Director position at Hayti R-II School District. More on the announcement as the story develops.
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BREAKING: Semoball Awards winter sports finalists announced (4/24/24)The Semoball Awards finalists for fall sports were announced Wednesday morning on a selection show broadcast live on SEMO ESPN Radio and streamed on the Semoball.com Facebook page. The finalists were selected by a sports panel made up of representatives from the Southeast Missourian, Standard Democrat, Dexter Statesman, Daily American Republic and Delta Dunklin Democrat...
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Portal, not so much NIL, having major impact on juco hoops (4/23/24)There has been no shortage of stories published regarding the implementation of the new NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) philosophy within intercollegiate athletics over the past couple of seasons. However, recently-hired Gulf State Community College men’s basketball coach, and Advance native, Lane Below, said in his four years of coaching at the junior college level, the NIL isn’t a major issue.
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Today's moment has been years in the making for mature, driven Lane Below (4/22/24)In 2009, most teenagers were obsessed with Miley Cyrus, beginning to get into Taylor Swift and Facebook (before the old farts ruined it), and spent hours honing their sports skills, not necessarily on the diamonds and courts across America, but in front of their TV screens playing Wii Sports. People who knew Lane Below could see even then, as a seventh grader at Advance Junior High, that he was different.
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Small-town grit fuels Griggs’ rise to UHSP basketball (4/20/24)BENTON, Mo. — Jada Griggs isn’t afraid of a challenge. The Kelly High School basketball standout recently signed to continue her athletic and academic at the University of Health Science and Pharmacy (UHSP) in St. Louis, a move that both excites and tests her desire for growth. ...
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Kennett hires Twin Rivers' McBroom as new boys basketball coach, AD (4/18/24)The Kennett Indians have found their next boys basketball coach and athletic director. Kennett High School has hired longtime Twin Rivers coach and high school principal Seth McBroom to succeed veteran coach and AD Jim Vaughan, who is retiring after 18 years at KHS...
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Advance native, TRC alum Lane Below named head coach at Gulf Coast State (4/18/24)PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Ten years ago, Lane Below was named the Southeast Missourian Player of the Year in boys basketball and helped the Advance Hornets make it to the Class 2 quarterfinals. Wednesday, Below got his first head coaching job in the college ranks when he was named the coach at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City...
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Never Give Up: Wilson perseveres; signs with Missouri Valley (4/3/24)This Poplar Bluff athlete persevered despite suffering multiple injuries throughout high school to fulfill her dream of playing collegiate basketball. Getting the opportunity to play basketball at the next level is something senior guard Abby Wilson doesn’t take lightly, as she has found the road to her next journey...
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Dohleman leaves legacy at East Carter (4/2/24)ELLSINORE — The East Carter Lady Redbirds basketball program is in better hands thanks to senior Breanna Dohleman. Dohleman was tabbed the Class 2 District 2 Player of the Year as well as making the Class 2 all-state team. While those accolades address the on-court talent, it’s the intangibles the baller brought to the program that have truly resonated with her coach and counterparts...
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Sikeston Bulldogs rack up postseason awards (3/29/24)SIKESTON – The awards for the 2023-24 season have been unveiled in the last couple of weeks and to no surprise the Sikeston Bulldogs have been well-represented on the postseason lists. The Bulldogs had two players selected for the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 5 all-state team in senior Dontrez Williams and junior P.J. Farmer...
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Epps is district Coach of the Year (3/22/24)DONIPHAN — After a historic basketball season, the Doniphan Donettes continue to pour in more postseason accolades. As the Doniphan High School athletic director and head coach of the Donettes, Adam Epps did the unthinkable with a young team and made history. After tallying the votes, Epps was named the Class 4 District 1 Coach of the Year...
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Redus is All-State: Doniphan senior honored for play on the court (3/20/24)DONIPHAN — One local athlete went from not playing much basketball early in her career to becoming one of the best players in the state. Senior Kenzie Redus added to the legacy of the Doniphan Donettes on Wednesday by being named a Missouri Class 4 All-State player, snapping an 18-year gap when Morgan Davis was the last Donette to receive the honor in 2006...
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Coleman seeks new opportunity at Shawnee Community College (3/19/24)SIKESTON — Rico Coleman's basketball journey has been defined by his willingness to forge his own path. After earning all-state honors for three straight seasons, he surprised many by joining a brand-new basketball program at Arkansas State University-Newport...
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Kelly’s Peters tabbed Scott-Mississippi MVP following breakout junior campaign (3/15/24)After leading the Kelly Hawks to both Scott-Mississippi Conference championships and a fifth-place plaque over the holidays, it was only right Ross Peters took home one more honor. The outstanding junior guard, averaging nearly 18 points a night for coach Noel Trimmer’s 21-6 Kelly Hawks, claimed the Scott-Missippi Conference Player of the Year award last weekend...
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Jenkins, Jones lead NMCC's MBCA Award sweep (3/14/24)SIKESTON – New Madrid County Central's championship run has earned top recognition from the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA). Dontre Jenkins has been named Class 3 Coach of the Year, while phenom Jadis Jones claimed his second consecutive Class 3 Player of the Year Award and all-state honors...
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Irby named Bootheel Player of the Year, Fowler earns Coach of the Year (3/14/24)SIKESTON – After a stellar season that included a deep playoff run, Portageville's girls' basketball program dominated the Bootheel Conference Awards. Kellye Fowler was named Coach of the Year, leading a talented squad that saw sophomore Taryn Irby earn Player of the Year honors...
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Reindeer senior concludes career with 'fantastic season' (3/14/24)The 2023-24 varsity boy’s basketball season at Clarkton High School wasn’t quite as successful – in terms of wins and losses – as the Reindeer followers had grown to enjoy over the past couple of winters.
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Mike Kilgore named Bootheel Conference Coach of the Year, Players honored (3/13/24)MALDEN, Mo. - Green Wave basketball head coach Mike Kilgore was named Bootheel Conference Coach of the year. "Southeast Missouri basketball is rich in tradition," Kilgore said. "To be considered part of that richness that represents this state is pretty awesome."...
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One Dream, One Team, One Shot: Kayden Minner's unforgettable state championship moment (3/12/24)SIKESTON, Mo. — For a long time Kayden Minner fought to picture his graduation with anything but a sense of loss. But even in the cruelty of competition, there’s room for incredible victories. No high school athlete should have a medical chart as thick as their playbook, yet that's the reality he faced with three knee injuries and countless hours of rehab — a career that was a constant battle against injury, his body seemingly conspiring against his dreams...
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Ruff saves best for last (3/12/24)SIKESTON — AJ Ruff wasn't supposed to steal the spotlight. Known for his slick passing, tenacious defense and steady hand guiding the New Madrid County Central offense, not the one dropping daggers. But, in the most high-stakes moments at the MSHSAA Class 3 State Championship Game, a new Ruff emerged – confident, clutch, and essential to NMCC's victory...
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Otto Porter Jr., NBA Champion, announces retirement (3/12/24)SIKESTON — Otto Porter Jr., the former Scott County Central standout who became an NBA champion, announced his retirement. “For the past 11 years, I had the chance to live my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA. That dream was capped by winning an NBA Championship! Unfortunately, my body is not allowing me to play at the level that I expect of myself, and I have therefore decided to retire," stated Porter...
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Nichols’ unordinary path, and why she’ll enter Delta history as extraordinary (3/11/24)After officially concluding her prep basketball career last week, Addison Nichols added one more feather to her hat over the weekend as the season drew to a close. With the release of the Scott-Mississippi All-Conference team, Nichols took center stage as the Scott-Mississippi Player of the Year as voted on by league officials...
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Title Defense Complete, Legacy Secured: Brotherhood breeds back-to-back state titles for NMCC (3/11/24)COLUMBIA, Mo. — Through victory and adversity, the seniors of New Madrid County Central faced every battle as a united front. Fighting back-to-back, locked arm-in-arm and constantly pushing each other to be better. It was that unshakeable brotherhood — the foundation of success — that elevated the Eagles (28-3) to a second consecutive MSHSAA Class 3 Show-Me Showdown Title with a resounding 86-65 win over Summit Christian Academy at Mizzou Arena on Saturday, March 9...
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Dexter seniors learned the value of perseverance (3/11/24)The Dexter High School varsity boys basketball squad labored through a 9-18 season this winter, which didn’t include as much success as some would have hoped, but for the two Bearcat senior players, Nathan Harris and Ethan Zebelin, it was invaluable in terms of preparing them for life. “I told our seniors how proud I was of them for sticking with it throughout all of these years,” Dexter coach Chad Allen said following the two player’s final game.
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Sikeston falls in quarterfinals to Vianney (3/9/24)KIRKWOOD, Mo. – The Sikeston Bulldogs knew what they had to do to defeat Vianney in the Class 5 quarterfinals. Executing that game-plan, however, was problematic. The Golden Griffins seemed to have answers for everything the Bulldogs threw at them as they defeated Sikeston 71-54 on Saturday afternoon at St. John Vianney Catholic High School...
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NMCC wears down Thayer, advances to Class 3 title game (3/9/24)COLUMBIA, Mo. — From the opening bell, New Madrid County Central didn't just defend the court against Thayer, they owned it. The No. 1 Eagles’ (27-3) were a vise, squeezing the No. 3 Bobcats (22-9) into submission during the 57-44 victory in a semifinal bout Friday night at the 2024 Show-Me Showdown at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri...
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Snider exceeds expectations in first season leading Lady Royals (3/9/24)BROSELEY — Head basketball coach Michael Snider completed his first year as the leading guy for the Twin Rivers Lady Royals and exceeded expectations beyond measure. Since his return to his Alma Mater, Snider said the community has welcomed him with open arms, and from his first practice, the Lady Royals basketball team bought into his vision for the program. ...
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Delta girls’ bittersweet bronze puts final winning bow on historic season (3/8/24)With one last opportunity to take the floor on Thursday afternoon, Delta made the most of it with an intense 61-57 victory against Liberal to claim third place in the 2024 MSHSAA Class 1 tournament. Opening the game up with a huge lead but quickly relinquishing, the Ladycats fought through a game of runs to claim the bronze despite some uneasiness down the stretch...
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Kennett Lady Indian frosh phenom rips 645 (3/8/24)KENNETT, Mo. - The Lady Indians varsity basketball program features three sisters. All are freshmen. All are athletic. One shattered a near 30-year title for points scored by a freshman in a single season. Alyce Edwards, a cute, tiny, soft-spoken wisp of a girl, nuked Kennett great Brandi Jackson's 1994 record of 448 by nearly 200 points when Edwards dropped 645 this season...
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South Pemiscot boys take fourth at state, close year with promising performance (3/7/24)South Pemiscot’s magical run to a program-first final four came to a bitter end on Thursday afternoon, dropping the Class 2 third-place game to Salisbury 77-66. Holding a double-digit lead for much of the early goings of the contest, South Pemiscot showed it had the firepower to take the win but couldn’t ice it out down the stretch...
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Delta girls’ run at gold ends in semis as Cairo breaks down defense (3/7/24)It just wasn’t meant to be for Delta girls basketball on Wednesday night. Going into Mizzou Arena for a do-or-die duel with Northeast High School out of Cairo, Missouri, a slow start to both halves doomed Delta in a 64-55 loss. Ending Delta’s conquest for its first-ever gold medal, the emotions ran high in the postgame presser as one of Delta’s most talented classes ever saw its window come to a close...
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Kennett AD Jim Vaughan retires after 18-year career (3/7/24)KENNETT, Mo. - After nearly two decades of solid leadership, Kennett High School Athletic Director Jim Vaughan bids the district farewell at the end of the spring semester. Vaughan, 53, who resides now at Poplar Bluff, retires after 18 years of service as both coach and director and spent time with the Delta Dunklin Democrat looking back on his career...
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South Pemiscot boys’ deep run ends in crushing semifinal loss at state (3/6/24)Tasked against one of the top Class 2 boys teams in the state, South Pemiscot’s semifinal came to a disheartening end on Wednesday afternoon as Hartville took the reins early on and took a big 44-27 victory. Making an appearance in the final four for the first time in school history and taking the floor at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri, the Bulldogs got under the bright lights but fizzled out after a strong start...
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Jackson’s season ends as C6D1 runner-ups (3/6/24)The Jackson boys’ basketball team’s quest to return to the Class 6 Final Four came to an end on Tuesday, March 5. The Indians ran into the proverbial buzzsaw that was the Cardinal Ritter Lions in a 55-44 loss in the Class 6 District 1 championship game at Lindbergh High School in St. Louis...
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Delta’s final four run to begin with tested, tall challenger following shocker (3/6/24)For the second time since David Heeb took over as head coach, and for the sixth time in program history, the Delta Ladycats will lace up their sneakers on the final four floor. Making the trip up Tuesday, they prepare for a three-day stint in Columbia, Missouri, looking for the program’s – and school’s – first-ever gold medal...
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Looking back at Cape Central’s first state title 70 years ago (3/6/24)It’s crazy to think that exactly 70 years ago, the Cape Central boys’ basketball team tasted ultimate victory. On March 6, 1954, the Tigers won the state championship with a 78-55 win over Christian Brothers College in front of the home fans at the Houck Field House on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University...
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Sharp's 35 points lift Austin Peay to 101-98 OT win over North Florida in ASUN Tournament (3/6/24)Demarcus Sharp, the Charleston phenom with a knack for the clutch, continues his rise on the national scene. Last night, he proved why, scoring 35 points to propel Austin Peay (19-14) to a thrilling overtime victory over North Florida (16-17) in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. ...
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Work, time has carried South Pemiscot basketball to this point (3/6/24)In Jordan McGowan’s view, the journey South Pemiscot High School varsity basketball has taken today has needed a village to construct, and no shortage of diligence.
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Reflecting on history: Epps looks back on Donettes’ memorable season (3/6/24)A less-than-happy ending shouldn’t take away from the history the Doniphan Donettes basketball team made this season. The Donettes entered the season as underdogs after losing a few key seniors, so their mindset this season was to prove all doubters wrong. Some would agree that the Donettes proved a lot more than expected. Head coach Adam Epps took a few key seniors with a young core and became the talk of the town...
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Notre Dame girls fall short as Bulldogs drop sectional brawl in Park Hills (3/5/24)After knocking off one of the top teams in Class 4 just three days prior, Notre Dame took the stage in a harsh environment at Park Hills Central in a feisty sectional. A back-and-forth defensive duel saw countless fouls, missed shots and emotions run high. But when Notre Dame cut its deficit to two in the third quarter, the Rebels locked in and iced out the Bulldogs, winning 44-39...
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Delta navigating finances, logistics, check-out times in latest state run (3/5/24)Everyone always remembers the excitement and emotions of making the trip to state. It’s an experience unlike any other, and countless athletes can recall that feeling. But it’s not easy. One of the most overlooked aspects of the entire experience, perhaps, is what it really takes to get there...
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NMCC sends message with 70-38 quarterfinal win over Kingston (3/5/24)PARK HILLS, Mo. – New Madrid County Central’s 70-38 quarterfinal round win over Kingston wasn’t so much a contest as it was a statement to the rest of the Class 3 Field. The final score doesn’t do justice to how thoroughly the No. 1 Eagles (26-3) dominated, exposing the vast gulf between the two teams and their athletic edge against the Cougars (19-10) at Parks Hills Central High School on Saturday, March 2...
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South Pemiscot hoops rides tough schedule en route to maturity (3/5/24)With less than 90 seconds remaining in its MSHSAA Class 2 Quarterfinal 1 game with Puxico on Saturday, the South Pemiscot boy’s basketball squad came over to the bench for a timeout following an Indian basket, which put Puxico up 46-43. “They could have given up, right there,” fourth-year Bulldog coach Jordan McGowan recalled. “Puxico had hit a big dagger on us. I kind of felt the air come out of the sail a little bit.”
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Portageville's season ends in quarterfinal loss to Principia (3/5/24)PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — The final buzzer sounded on Portageville’s season, the 50-42 Class 2 quarterfinal loss to Principia marking a heart-wrenching end to the team’s incredible journey on Friday, March 1. As the game unfolded, the Lady Bulldogs (23-6) confidence grew, the execution sharpened, and they battled toe-to-toe with the No. 5 Lady Panthers (22-7), but initial struggles ultimately proved too much to overcome...
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Class 2 State Tournament: Indians fall to South Pemiscot at the buzzer (3/4/24)Surviving and advancing was the game plan for the Puxico Indians heading into the second round of the state tournament, but their historic run would take a turn in the game's final moments. The Indians stepped onto Gene Bess Court at Three Rivers College on Saturday for their toughest battle of the year. They went head-to-head against the South Pemiscot Bulldogs as both attempted to fight their way to the Class 2 Final Four...
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Work, confidence to boost Advance hoops into the future (3/3/24)The Advance High School varsity boy’s basketball squad recently closed its 2023-24 season, which was an enduring one, with a 79-47 loss to Puxico in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 3 Tournament championship game, however, how the Hornets closed this season is what has the fans of the orange and black focused on. “I have tried to make them believe (in themselves) and have confidence,” first-year Hornet coach Dalton Wilson said late in this season. “Because that confidence, you’ve got to have.”
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Risco sports thriving in present, future with Sammy Smith's influence (3/3/24)Veteran Risco High School varsity boy’s basketball coach Brandon Blankenship has seen a lot of talented athletes come through his program during his highly successful 22-year tenure, and current junior guard Sammy Smith ranks up there with the best.
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Big second half lifts Sikeston over Bluff in district semifinal, 82-61 (3/2/24)BONNE TERRE, Mo. – All season long it seemed that Sikeston and Cape Central were on a collision course to meet in the Class 5, District 1 championship game. Saturday’s semifinal games may have been a bit more competitive than most thought it would be, but the matchup became official after top-seeded Sikeston used a big second half to pull away from fourth-seeded Poplar Bluff 82-61; and then second-seeded Cape Central held off a furious rally from third-seeded Farmington to win 52-47.. ...