Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament All-Tourney Team

Nick Koeppel (sp?) He played really really well in the last two games of the tourney.

Andrew Williams would have been a good pick as well as Garret light

I wish the tournament officials will come clean and tell everyone that the teams are selected after Day 3. Otto and Bobby are clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the players in this tournament. I feel sorry for the Steil brothers as they both averaged the same amount of points per game only one was chosen. Henrie Williams wouldn't be on this team if he played against Otto Porter. Porter would have eaten him for lunch. If Oak Ridge wouldn't have thrown the game away against Jackson, then Henrie wouldn't be on the team either.

I don't know about all of the voters, No Disclosure, but I know that my final pick was influenced by the first half of the championship game. I definitely take Day 4 into account when voting.

No disrespect to any of the kids on the team, but Charleston finishes 4th and Cape Central finishes second. Cape has one kid on the team and Charleston has 2. Andrew Williams hit big shot after big shot all week against higher seeded teams. He deserved a spot for sure.

I included a two Cape Central players on my ballot and was surprised to see just one make the team.

So, I don't know if this is exactly the right thread to start this on, but since I see no other thread available that fits this topic, I'm going to go ahead and post right here...

Bear with me, this next post will be a long, but hopefully thought-provoking one.

I agree with Whitey11. Andrew Williams hit shots that kept his team alive and shouldve been on this team.

It seems as if the majority of the comments on this website about the Christmas tournament have been attacks upon others that were to be seen/observed at the Show-Me-Center the past ocuple of days (myself included). So, in light of this, I wanted to start a new post.....one with, shall we say, a bit of a brighter side of the tournament. Let me begin...

1. SCC- You guys dominated the tournament; no other way to say it. Porter, Hatchett, Johnson, and everyone else, from start to finish, you showed how good of a team you are. I think there's little doubt that you all will carry this momentum through the rest of the season and cap it off with a second straight title. Congrats SCC.

2. Cape Central- Hell of a showing. To come out and beat both Jackson and ND on successive nights, that deserves major props. Coach Church has done a phenomenal job getting the Tigers to play as a unit, and I think there are more big things to come from team CT. To Mr. Cassasola: Even after your injury in the title game, you came back to help your team. To me, that's great heart and great character. To Mr. Lane and Mr. Williams: You guys have REALLY stepped up your game. I was impressed by your performances throughout the tourney, and I hope you both continue your great season deep into the postseason.

3. Notre Dame: I think Jacob Tolbert read my post. He came out the aggressor both on offense and defense tonight. He was really effecient on the block, and didn't let emotions get in the way, which is so difficult to do on a stage such as this tournament. Mr. Koeppel: Speaking of aggressors...Nick did it all tonight. Drives to the lane, tough full-court D; I saw a little bit of everything.

4. Oak Ridge: You guys have really used this opportunity to show SE Missouri how far your program has come in such a short time. You were definitely a team that the opponent didn't want to be up against. Bret Thomas and Garrett Light have shown they can compete with anybody, and the rest of the team (Logan Mangels, Caleb Elam, exc.) had breakthrough moments in the tournament also. Look for the extremely balanced Oak Ridge boys to surprise some people in their District.

Finally......to anyone I left out on here. I'm sorry I wasn't able to be at all of the games...I just commented on the ones that I saw. I plan on seeing a lot of basketball over the next month or so, so I will be out on the road checking out some of the teams I wasn't able to see here. Kepp working hard everyone, and keep improving your game. That's why high school basketball is so much fun. To see teams progress throughout the year is really something.

Sorry for such a long post, but after so many downplays on every team in the tournament, I thought this was the best way to turn things around.

I think you missed one of the really good players! Garrett Light. You picked Williams from Jackson and niether he nor any of Jacksons players could stop Garrett!!!!

Stewart Johnson would be in my all tournament team even if only 5 players made it. I think SCC was so dominant and Bobby and Otto are no brainers but Stewart Johnson deserved to make the team. Every team they were up against couldn't hold onto the ball and he always seemed to come away with the ball or deflect a pass that ended up stolen.

How can a team that makes the championship game have only one player on the all tournament team? Andrew Williams should of made it. Without his three point shooting, Central would not of made it past Jackson or Notre Dame.

How many 3's did Andrew hit in the tournament?

Put this perspective on Cape Central's accomplishments: All four of Cape's opponents won trophies in the tournamnet--Leopold, Jackson, ND, and SCC. The combined tourney records of these teams was 13-3, with all three losses coming against Cape. Not only did they play for the title and finish second, they arguably had the toughest tests to get there.

I could be wrong, but didn't Notre Dame only have one player (Austin Greer) on the tournament team last year? And they played in the title game. I thought Koeppel might make it due to his defense and handling of the ball. But he didn't put up gawdy numbers all week like others did.

Held?

Cough...PUSH IT... Cough...

More like Scott County held back TOTAL FURY in the fourth quarter.

Cape Rocks, it appears you have missed the point. Cape Central is not a division one college it is a high school that is a part of MSHSAA. The Missouri State High School Activities Association has made sportsmanship one of it's most important areas of emphasis.

To degrade or belittle your opponent may show spirit but it is ill-willed and not what HIGH SCHOOL sports are about.

School spirit is not defined by how much you can degrade your opponent. Try looking up what sportsmanship and school spirit mean and I think you will be surprised to learn that what Cosmo_Kramer is trying to say is the administration of the schools that allow this type of behavior are not supporting what high school activities are supposed to be.

Since when did screaming, yelling and clapping for your team isn't enough. There is no reason for the negative chants or cheers. If your cheerleaders led chants or cheers that were degrading your sponsor would be fired.

Those of us who were brought up in schools where real school spirit and sportsmanship went hand in hand would never degrade our opponenents. It's just not what high school sports are about!

It was really nice to see Cape Central play basketball at a level we haven't seen in many years only to have their tournament run soured by the poor sportsmanship of it's student section.

First of all SCC is no regular Class 1 school. They would defeat any team in the state of Missouri albeit not as convincingly. The Jungle looked ridiculous heckling SCC with a running clock. The Cinderella slipper fell off the moment the ball was tipped in the championship game. It could have been much uglier. Coach Cookson was allowing his young men to have a lil fun out there. It was truly a practice scrimmage for them. Enough said.

whitey11: I cant comment on the Williams kid because I didnt see him play much; however I can comment on both Charleston players. Jones is money from behind the arc and at the charity stripe. He would have had the game winning three were it not for an ill timed traveling call. As far as Tucker is concerned, keep watching the next couple of years (he is just a sophomore) he is already a force to be reckoned with. He will only get better. I would even lobby for Demonte Farmer to get a mention in this discussion along with Fabrezio Wright.

Cape Central played far an above better basketball than they were expected to. They earned a lot of respect from the SEMO basketball community this week. This was not the same team I saw lose to Charleston earlier this year in the SEMO Conference consolation semis. They have nothing to be ashamed of. SCC would have destroyed any SE Missouri team that it played. BTW is SCC on Notre Dame's schedule? I would love to see that match up.

Better yet how about a SCC vs. Sikeston---the rematch?

For the first time in several years I think that the sports media got it right with regard to the SE Missourian Christmas tournament all tourney team. For once it was not a ND Jackson lovefest.

The Jungle is just a group of high school having harmless fun. Who doesn't say things about their opponent? Especially against huge rivals like Cape faced in this tournament. Central's administration allows stops them for chanting things that are truly mean. They are just having harmless fun. I think the people that are cricitizing the Jungle and Central's administration are not showing much more maturity than these high school students. Cape played some great games in this tournament and instead of talking about that, people are worried about their cheering section.

I think everyone wants to see a rematch Wisdom.

As good as SCC is....I don't think that they would defeat any team in the entire state. Any class 1 team for sure though....I'm looking forward to seeing them win the state title, as well as (hopefully) seeing Hatchett and Porter in MU uniforms sometime soon.

Okay, let's be clear on some points: The Charleston kids can obviously play, but discussion warrants the mention of several other players. Oak Ridge's Light and Thomas come to mind. But they did what they did in three games. If you look at the one player in the tournament not on the all tournament team that consistently stepped up and played clutch ball game after game, it was Andrew Williams. He should have been on the team hands down!

Now about the jungle: They are HS kids showing a little enthusiasm all in good fun. No harm done. In my opinion it is better sportsmanship to get into the game and have fun than not. ND and Jackson also had student sections doing the same thing. This is good! Just because MSHSAA has statements about certain things doesn't necessarily mean they are right. They get more worked up about nitpicky things and let big things slide--like recruiting, district boundries, etc.

About SCC: They clearly were the class of the tourney and I agree with a previous post that suggests they would beat anyone in the state. On another night, Cape could play them closer. Bottom line: SCC is a basketball factory first, they always have been. Charleston is also a basketball factory.

Officiating: Best I could see officials worked hard to make proper calls and did a good job.

It was a fun tournament as it always is, and here's wishing all the teams best of luck in 2010. Many of these teams will play again before the season is over.

If Pressey wasn't going to MU, Hatchett would be inked I think. However, with 2 sick PGs next year, Bobby will be at SIU, my guess at least.

Caperocks, since you won't look up the expectations placed by MSHSAA for students I decided to copy and paste them for you. Read them for yourself and decide.

Expectations of Students: Your enthusiasm as a participant or spectator includes a vital

responsibility for good sportsmanship. Your habits and reactions determine the quality of

sportsmanship, which reflects upon our school and community. Students are expected to:

�� Know and demonstrate the fundamentals of good sportsmanship.

�� Respect, cooperate and respond to cheerleaders.

�� Respect school property and authority.

�� Show respect for opponents and opposing coaches and fans.

�� Show respect for players who are injured.

�� Respect the judgement and strategy of the coach (even if you disagree).

�� Respect the judgement of game officials (even if you disagree).

�� Avoid profane language and obnoxious behavior at all times.

�� Avoid applauding errors or penalties of the opponents.

�� Refrain from heckling, jeering or distracting opponents, including

distracting behavior during the shooting of free throws.

�� Refrain from being critical of players, coaches or officials for a loss.

�� Refrain from throwing objects on the playing area or in the bleachers.

�� Avoid stomping of bleachers or the use of artificial noisemakers.

�� Refrain from using cheers that taunt or ridicule opposing players, coaches,

cheerleaders or spectators.

�� Refrain from booing or showing displeasure with game officials or game

activities.

What you don't understand Caperocks, is that you cannot ignore what students do in the bleachers because what goes on in the stands is as much a part of the high school experience as the game itself. One day you may see the big picture but for now it is obvious you are too immature to understand.

Reading the MSHSAA manuel on New Years ---Priceless!

Congrats to Kevin Casassola on a a very deserving selection to the all tournament team. Andrew Williams did a great job too. Hopefully, he would be the first person to congratulate Kevin. I'm sure Andrew receives his share of accolades without the people on this site throwing Kevin under the bus.

When I played, I personally enjoyed when there was a student section talking smack and acting stupid during our games. It was fun and I didn't and still don't see a problem with it. I also love watching Cape/Jackson, Cape/ND, and Jackson/ND games because of the way the pep sections act. It makes the games way more fun to watch and I'm sure even more fun to be playing the game or being in the student section.

Kevin deserved all-tourney team...he scraps, claws, dives, hustles, can handle the press most of the time, attacks the lane, plays defense...that to me is a true team player....

Kevin definitely derserved it. I in no way suggested otherwise. Just thought last week WIlliams was right there, and he was.

there is one explanation that I can give for cape only having one player on the team and that is because Coach Church has been telling these players it is a team effort and that is what they gave every night of the tournament. they looked for the open player each time and worked the ball until they found him most of the time. when this happens there isn't one single player that stands out just big team wins which they had 2 nights of the tournament. keep it up cape and you will have a very good year

First: CONGRATS Anthony Seabuagh on making all-tournament team!!!! I'm pretty sure I lost my voice when I heard your name being called!!

Second: Caperocks, I have to agree with STR8SHOOTER on the whole "the Jungle was inapporiate" thing. I thought it was totally inapporiate when during the ND/Central game with some of the things they did while entering the game and someone the chants that the Jungle did. I remember the chants by the way. And all this is coming from a high school senior just so you know before you start calling me old school or whatever else. And what really bothered me was that their principal was standing right there, encouraging them. To me (remember I'm a high school senior and a cheerleader, so I think I know a few things about school spirit) school spirit is cheering FOR YOUR SCHOOL not AGAINST THE OTHER SCHOOL.

Spoke my peace now I'm done with the topic!

Why give an honor of making the all Tournament team to someone on a 5th or 6th place team or worse, unless he avg. 20 points a game? 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishers are there for a reason, to have only 1 player from Cape and ND is absolutely crazy!!!

Queenofsidelines,

Stick to cheering and let the guys do what they do! They make a ballgame so much more enjoying than listening to a bunch of cheerleaders do the same cheer over and over!

I don't know what school you are from, but go to any playoff game past districts, and you will see 10 times that amount of school spirt, and you won't even here the cheerleaders anymore.

Cosmo_Kramer,

Your inappropriate comments were deleted once again, and, should you choose to post them for a third (or is it fourth) time, your account likely will be, too.

Please find a new way to express your thoughts. They are welcome but your tone and word choice are not.

I've been deleting far more comments than I'm comfortable with over the last week or so and am finding that I have missed some that should have been deleted. If you see a comment that you believe is inappropriate, please click on the yellow exclamation point to report the comment so that I or other staff members can review it.

As for the Cape (and Jackson and Notre Dame and others similar) student section, I find the whole back-and-forth dialogue and, yes, the sometimes borderline commentary to be highly entertaining, for what it's worth. Whatever one's personal opinion, I think this type of behavior has been around at high school sporting events for long enough that we need not act stunned at its existence and outraged by the content. It is what it is and has been. If it bothers you (and it very well might for some valid reasons), I suggest sitting far away or bringing an iPod.

That being said, I really, really, really hate the "You can't do that" and "He/She's a freshman/sophomore" chants. I don't know why, but they grate on me. Haha. I like the original stuff.

As for your attack on cheerleading, I must say I'm surprised, tlks2much. As a former cheerleader myself, I think I can safely say that queenofsidelines was not under the impression that people show up to see her squad (at least not most people). The whole point is to support the "guys" and I hardly see how that could be bad. Not all cheerleaders and all squads are like the ones portrayed in movies and Taylor Swift songs...

I'm with you. ALL the student sections need some new chants. And maybe a new rhythm to chant to also...

I'm in agreement with you, Rachel. The student chants are entertaining. For the most part, the cheers are usually pretty original and in good fun. The cheerleaders are doing a good job, too, and don't deserve the kind of attack that was given by tlks2much.

I do have one complaint about the student cheering sections. I think it's very disrespectful when a few students come to the games dressed in religious attire costumes mocking priests, monks or nuns. That's crossing the line at a school sports event and should not be tolerated by the administrators. It's one thing to poke fun at a team mascot or student body, it's another thing to mock a religion. Disrespect of that nature should NEVER be tolerated.

Irishgirl,

When you said mocking priests, I assume you were talking about the Sikeston-ND game. For you all that wasn't there, a boy from Sikeston wore a Royal Blue Snuggie to the game. I thought it was one of the funniest things, I had ever seen.

If you would had seen that priest at Sikeston a few years ago when ND hit a last second shot to beat Sikeston in districts, he ran in the middle of the floor in his same outfit and was spinning his little cross on a rope thing in front of the bleacher bums and the Sikeston administrators made him leave the floor. So what goes around comes around, as they say and that is probably why Sikeston Admin didn't say anything!

Rachel Crader and Irishgirl,

Since you both said I "attacked" the cheerleaders, when I clearly just made a statement.I am sorry.

I like cheerleaders, but they need to stay off of SEMOball since it is well.....................for real sports.

I won't even get started on that!!!

"Attack" may have been a strong word choice, tlks2much, but I think we can peacefully agree to disagree on the value/purpose/difficulty/ of cheerleading, which I am cool with.

I agree that it is best to not get started. Seems pretty pointless.

Thanks for stopping back by the blog.

I think kids can dress the way they want. If ND can throw a red bulldog around, then Sikeston can wear snuggies.

Maybe the student was simply cold and brought the snuggie to keep warm? :)

tlks2much,

No, I wasn't at the Sikeston/ND game, but if someone went dressed in a blue snuggie making fun of the ND principal, that is not right. The "cross on a rope thing", as you named it, is called a rosary and I seriously doubt any religious figure would spin a rosary around in that manner like you said. Be that as it may, the bottom line is this: my purpose for commenting was to say good spirited fan support and antics are great, but students should not dress in costume mocking the religious. It's disrespectful and in poor taste. I'll say it again: it's one thing to poke fun at a mascot or student cheering section, it's another thing to mock a religion.

I was sitting right behind where Brother David was during that game (he's a monk, not a priest, just to clarify), and although he did go on the court, he didn't go mock the Bums as you claim. I thought the ND players taking their shirts off was a bit much, but other than that I didn't see much out of line from either fan section during the game.

Ok now that we have had our Catholic lesson for the day, Monk not Priest, Rosary not cross on a rope. Got it!

He was still out of line, by stepping on the floor and flipping his rosery everywhere and that is what I was saying the Sikeston Admin didn't say anything.

The whole subject was about school spirt and as long as they dont say the players name, I think it is all fine.

Glad I could teach ya something, lol.

I agree, the back and forth between student sections makes it fun...the problem is sometimes it gets malicious and admins don't do anything about it. Another thing....I've said it before and I'll say it again, but the chants that these student sections do are getting pretty lame. You hear the same 5 or 6 chants over and over, same "clap, clap, clapclapclap" rhtyhm and everything. We need an influx of new chants around here.