Rachel Crader is the editor of semoball.com. She graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in May of 2009 before spending the summer covering the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Highlights from Rachel's days in college include having a class down the hall from Chase Daniel and having NCAA wrestling champion Ben Askren hold the door open for her at Brady Commons, Mizzou's student center. She spent time covering Mizzou basketball, softball and baseball while working for the Columbia Missourian and is excited to return home to Southeast Missouri to cover local sports for semoball.com.

Rachel has covered three Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournaments for the Southeast Missourian and semoball.com, and she'll see you courtside again this year.

Semoball Basketball Poll (Jan. 26)

Posted Wednesday, January 26, 2011, at 3:19 AM

Just the rankings this week, folks.

Boys Basketball

Team First-place votes Record Total Points

Scott County Central 4 13-2 40

Sikeston 0 16-0 36

Cape Central 0 12-3 32

Charleston 0 11-5 25

Jackson 0 12-6 19

Poplar Bluff 0 8-8 19

Kennett 0 13-3 17

Caruthersville 0 12-3 13

Bernie 0 12-2 11

Dexter 0 9-7 3

Others receiving votes: Portageville 2, Twin Rivers 2, North Pemiscot 1.

Girls Basketball

Team First-place votes Record Total Points

Neelyville 2 12-1 36

Meadow Heights 1 12-2 36

Jackson 1 8-4 34

Poplar Bluff 0 13-4 29

Kennett 0 15-1 25

Notre Dame 0 10-6 19

Scott City 0 12-2 16

Dexter 0 9-8 12

St. Vincent 0 10-4 9

Sikeston 0 7-5 5

Others receiving votes: Naylor 1.

Comments

View 57 comments

Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

not sure how jackson can be ranked ahead of pb when the mules beat them at jackson by 14 last week, but it's only a poll.

-- Posted by myershallred on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 9:33 AM
Seeing as they have the same number of points from the voters, I would assume that Jackson was just put higher due to a better overall record, but I may be mistaken.

-- Posted by sm0723 on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 9:39 AM
I would hope there record is better with them playing teams like Saxony,Leopold,Woodland,Hillsboro,Kelly and the 1st round of the Southeast Mo. Christmas Tourney.

-- Posted by BIGELW on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 9:51 AM
Didn't bluff host their 6 team district last year and get upset by the team with the weaker schedule?

-- Posted by GSP on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 10:07 AM
I'd guess Jackson comes first since they are first alphabetically.

-- Posted by sideline starter on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 10:13 AM
Why did you have to bring that up i just started to get past that!!!

-- Posted by BIGELW on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 11:53 AM
I would think that sideline starter is correct on the listing of the teams in alphabetical order when they are tied in points.

-- Posted by sm0723 on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 11:57 AM
Crader, could you explain the point system and who votes for this poll?

-- Posted by Bleacherbum on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 2:34 PM
We need a scc vs shs III. Why not?? It was more competitive the first year, we know. But I would think Sikeston has a pretty good chance with their speed and superior guard play.

-- Posted by Big Bro on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 3:04 PM
I would like to see that Sikeston/SCC III!

-- Posted by localfan on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 6:20 PM
I still don't take this poll sersiously because Sikeston doesn't get 1 first place vote. But they won't unless Sikeston plays and beats them. Yet SCC still might get 1 first place vote, especially if it's in the fieldhouse.

-- Posted by Shadow-the-hedgehog on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 7:00 PM
Bigelw--Poplar Bluff is the only team in the southeast Missouri area with a stronger strength of opponent average than Jackson. Who did you have in mind that has a stronger strength of opponent??? I think sideline starter is correct in that it is in alpabetical order.

-- Posted by theprof on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 7:25 PM
Who has the hardest schedule???

Southeast Missouri strength of schedule 1/26, based on their opponents team national ranking.

Poplar Bluff 3851

Jackson 4452

Charleston 4865

Sikeston 5015

Scott Co. Central 6112

Cape Central 7434

Kennett 8328

-- Posted by theprof on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 12:16 AM
A "national" ranking for strength of schedules? Really? There is little chance of this having any validity whatsoever!

-- Posted by semo7178 on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 9:24 AM
Hello People...there are 4 voters in this poll and you treat it like the gospel LMAO....SEMO ball has the arrogance to put out a 4 person media poll....this makes good kindling in my fireplace and that all...stop taking everything on here as the word of God!!

-- Posted by RedShirt on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 9:29 AM
Sikeston don't want to play SCC this year, the schools haven't talked about playing, SMART on Sikeston's part if they want to keep the (0) in the lost column.

-- Posted by airmaxx on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 9:35 AM
airmaxx, you are completely clueless if you think Sikeston's players, coaches, and fans don't want to play SCC. They're not scared.

-- Posted by yah-yah on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 9:42 AM
It would be a heck of a game but I think Sikeston would beat SCC once again. It would be a great matchup though. Just too many weapons this year for the Bulldogs.

-- Posted by semohoops on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 9:52 AM
I agree Semohoops.. the bench is talked about a lot, but people still dont truly understand their significance. Not just bodies to fill in, but actual contributors in the scoring column as well as keeping up a relentless pace for the opposition. Ask Kennett, Charleston, Jackson players about the 2nd halves of their games....eventually catches up to their legs.

-- Posted by barkleyfan on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 11:17 AM
"SCC vs SIKESTON" Let it go guys,because if it happened Sikeston fans are NOT going to like the out come!!!!! My self I would like to see it played at the Field House,so you wouldn't have any excuses.But please NO "JOE BILL" so we wouldn't have any either :) HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

-- Posted by DA#1OLDCAT on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 12:05 PM
Id rather see Sikeston vs. Duke or Ohio State...would be much closer ;)

-- Posted by RedShirt on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 12:51 PM
in the field house scc would get dominated.

-- Posted by Bleacherbum on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 1:48 PM
I know for a FACT that Sickeston doesn't want to play SCC! We wanted to make it a yearly game. One year at their place and the next at ours, but the Sickeston coaches said no. I guess that precious record at the field house just means too much to them. I would love to see Sickeston get beat at their "Taj Mahal". Believe me, they would get spanked no matter where they played SCC!

-- Posted by SCCgrad94 on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 6:10 PM
You got the easy part done.You talked about it,now the HARD part is next.SCC is ready ,just talk your people into it and lets go,the sooner the better but your not going to like it when that Field House record comes to an end.You might not ever get another one like that,so you might want to keep it going....... "THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE"

-- Posted by DA#1OLDCAT on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 6:19 PM
Incredible insight, sccgrad and oldcat (insert sarcasm). You may want to check your 'fact', sccgrad. Sikeston's coaches did not say no. Do you have any better insight as to why Sikeston would get 'spanked' or how 'the truth will set you free!'? Sikeston matches up much better with SCC as opposed to last year. I honestly wouldn't expect more than a 5 point win by either team. I think SCC's starting 5 would outscore Sikeston's. However, I think Sikeston has a definite advantage with their bench play and would outscore SCC in that department.

-- Posted by yah-yah on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 6:38 PM
I'm sure you didn't expect to lose by 20 last year ..oh I'm sorry 19 ,but you did.SCC is better this year as well and have a deeper bench than last year ,not that they would need it.

-- Posted by DA#1OLDCAT on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 6:48 PM
Obviously DAOLDFAT isn't the smartest crayon in the box, I guess the Sikeston players make their Schedule.. Why don't you walk up and ask one of them yourself.. I bet you'll get an answer that'll make you feel more dumb then you already are.. They want to BEAT scc, they arent the least bit scared.. Sorry they have no say so in the situation, and as for the coaches not wanting to play.. Why don't you go ask coach hollifield, He'd probably just look at you and laugh, the reason we probably don't play is because people like you.. And ask any sikeston fan they want to play scc, but your blinders are on and your very biased, as am i sometimes.. But to say anyones scared of them, and then saying that team is sikeston is just ignorant..

Why don't you call up to SPS and plead your case, it seems this game is the reason you wake up every morning, and why would we make it an every year game? When you'll be down a lot once Otto leaves, and back to a competetive class one team..

Maybe you should think before you try to accuse people that have no control over the game of being "scared"

-- Posted by Dustin Ruby on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 6:51 PM
oh you mean you won by 19 while our number 2 leading scorer was on the bench with a concussion? he hit 4 out of 5 3's in the FIRST QUARTER. he was going to single handely take scc down. us without will last year is like scc without stewart this year.

-- Posted by Bleacherbum on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 6:52 PM
Hey that's Not fair to SCC, Otto put him there. That away to use your head Otto. hahaha Also No Bobby Hatchet means no win For SCC at the Field House. you see the points Otto put up but you seem to forget the guy that passed him the ball. and without a true ball handler I don't think that they could consistantly break Sikeston's press. Bobby Hatchet is why SCC won last year he was the best guard on the floor.

-- Posted by Shadow-the-hedgehog on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 7:03 PM
Touchy TOUCHY I don't think anybody but you "inspector" said anything about anybody being scared and I would never say anything bad about the players because they put in so much hard work and play a very good style of basketball,something that I doubt you know anything about!!!!!!

-- Posted by DA#1OLDCAT on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 7:26 PM
"I know for a FACT that Sickeston doesn't want to play SCC!"

Thats pretty much saying were scared, how about i blame you for everything thats wrong, when you have no control what kinda since does that make..

And SCCgrad, lets think about this, have it at the field house one year then at scc the next.. Why have a big rivalry game, in a tiny gym? The porters alone could fill the place up.. So that doesn't make too much since, and then when they are back down again Sikeston would recieve complaints about playing a weak class 1 school

-- Posted by Dustin Ruby on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 8:06 PM
It's a lose lose situation for sikeston. If they win. Woohoo we beat a class 1 school. if they lose. Crap we lost to a class 1 school. There's no point after this year anyway, It will just be another blowout untill SCC gets another great player like Otto which won't be for long time.

-- Posted by Shadow-the-hedgehog on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 8:20 PM
This is off topic but I just wanted to give a shout out to Zalma. Those guys are usually an automatic W to opponents but they have really turned it on lately. They recently beat Oak Ridge and only have a couple losses on the season. Also, Congrats to Oak Ridge for taking down Oran the night. I was surprised to say the least.

-- Posted by CrashTHEboards on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 4:31 AM
Is this a poll blog? Or a sikeston vs. SCC forum?

-- Posted by localfan on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 9:05 AM
Are you the topic police, localfan?

-- Posted by yah-yah on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 9:38 AM
I saw PB play Jackson and it was no contest. PB was the much better, more athletic, quicker team. Jackson can play with anyone in the half court. Getting the ball to halfcourt is the problem. Any press (zone, man, trap) will do the trick. Teams that have found this out (area teams) are going to press them. I'm sure the Mc North game influenced their ranking. Remember Mc North didn't pressure. If they had it would have been a blowout. PB should be ranked ahead of Jackson no doubt.

-- Posted by wolfwoman on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 9:48 AM
yah-yah I am not the topic police! It just seems to me that everyone got off the main topic!

And from your posts I'm pretty sure you enjoy talking about the bulldogs (Sikeston)

-- Posted by localfan on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 1:54 PM
Yeah, on semoball noone ever sticks to the main topic. You are correct that I'm a Sikeston fan.

-- Posted by yah-yah on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 2:12 PM
I just get a kick out of it and find it humorous that everything strays away!

There was a good thread going about the sikeston vs. SCC is why I said that.

-- Posted by localfan on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 2:18 PM
I just want to ask you sikeston fans what players you think you have this year that would make you be a clear favorite over scott county. I haven't seen any eye popping numbers in box scores that shows you have some new break out player that you didn't have last year. So what makes you think you could beat them this year? What you guys are 10 deep? Guess what... SCC is in good enough shape to where they don't need a single substitute all game if they don't want one. They may have lost Bobby but Stewart got kicked off last year and Lemarcus Steward is on varsity now as well.

-- Posted by LeeSummitBooster on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 10:05 PM
No one ever said Sikeston was a clear favorite and no offence to those guys but neither of them would start for sikeston so basiclly you have Otto and... Otto and did I mention Otto. Olympic Distance runners would have trouble running with Sikeston for an entire game.It's a full on sprint for 32 minute and if thats even possible for a starter to do then, He probably needs to skip high school and go win the US gold in distance in the olympic games .

-- Posted by Shadow-the-hedgehog on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 10:13 PM
Pretty sure if SCC's players can play a full game vs charleston and not come out and beat them worse than sikeston could that SCC's starters could make a full game vs. Sikeston.. SCC's players don't even sweat... I followed Sikeston Porter's senior year and that team is better than this year's time.. Area basketball is so down from what it was 3-5 years ago.

-- Posted by LeeSummitBooster on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 10:26 PM
^Someone hasn't seen Sikeston play this year.

-- Posted by sideline starter on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 10:34 PM
Talking about redhawkfan.

-- Posted by sideline starter on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 10:34 PM
Redhawk the reason sikeston doesn't have people dropping 30 every game is because everyone gets the ball, they have multiple people in double digits, and i've seen two or three games where otto has had like 39 and the rest of the team scored less then 10 a piece, SCC and Sikeston are two of the best teams in Missouri, and they are considered to be in the same small town, that just blows my mind..

You have no idea how bad us sikeston fans want to play them..

-- Posted by Dustin Ruby on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 10:38 PM
They are averaging four guys a night getting at least 10

-- Posted by Shadow-the-hedgehog on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 10:44 PM
Ain't that some stuff my post got deleted. And I thought I keep it clean, I guess ignorant is derogatory.

-- Posted by Shadow-the-hedgehog on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 10:55 PM
Like ignorant people would know i'm talking about them

-- Posted by Shadow-the-hedgehog on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 11:03 PM
What'd u say sonic? I haven't been on. And what does watching sikeston this year have anything to do with me knowing that scc has beat charleston just as bad as sikeston has.. And scc has 4 guys in double figures a game as well. Just so happens the number one guy is getting 30 not 10 and Stewart is Gettin about 15

-- Posted by LeeSummitBooster on Sat, Jan 29, 2011, at 12:17 AM
Let me rephrasing that, when they play a bigger school that can actually play, then they may have 2 people in double digits..

But when they drop 90 a night then obviously its going to spread out

-- Posted by Dustin Ruby on Sat, Jan 29, 2011, at 8:35 AM
The thing is, redhawkfan, SCC didn't beat Charleston as bad and they played them @ SCC. Sikeston won 87-60 @ the Jay's Nest and SCC won by 90-71 at the Braves' home court. However, common opponents don't necessarily have any bearing on how well a team will match up with another one, IMO.

-- Posted by yah-yah on Sat, Jan 29, 2011, at 10:12 AM
SCC also beat them in the Xmas tourney 84-61 I think that they are a pretty even match but I would still take SCC soley on the fact that they have Otto

-- Posted by LeeSummitBooster on Sat, Jan 29, 2011, at 11:39 AM
Redhawkfan, the difference between Charleston and Sikeston is that Sikeston is much deeper, have more speed, and they are STRONGER. They are not going to just lay down to Otto like other teams have whether they wanted to or not. I think either team could win the game but the strength Sikeston has (ask the Caruthersville fans from last night who thought Sikeston only had speed) is what allows them to also keep pace with teams that have tall superstars.

-- Posted by sideline starter on Sat, Jan 29, 2011, at 1:12 PM
Sikeston hasnt played a super star likee Porter this yr SIU recruits dont count he mite as well be going to a jr college.If u thank u can beat scc buy stoping or slowing down Porter youre wrong.Porter scores 30 by half time and then he sets who do you thank scores other 50 or 60 points.IT doesnt matter were they play field house or scc heck they could play outside at the complex the team with the most points will win.

-- Posted by braves win on Mon, Jan 31, 2011, at 7:00 PM
Sikeston hasnt played a super star likee Porter this yr SIU recruits dont count he mite as well be going to a jr college.If u thank u can beat scc buy stoping or slowing down Porter youre wrong.Porter scores 30 by half time and then he sets who do you thank scores other 50 or 60 points.IT doesnt matter were they play field house or scc heck they could play outside at the complex the team with the most points will win.

-- Posted by braves win on Mon, Jan 31, 2011, at 7:00 PM
Can someone remind me where Bobby Hatchett is attending college? I would like to look him up and see his stats this year. Something tells me it is Midland College or something like that in Texas? Thanks in advance.

-- Posted by GreatFun on Tue, Feb 1, 2011, at 11:22 AM
Nevermind, turns out I knew all along, it is Midland College.

-- Posted by GreatFun on Tue, Feb 1, 2011, at 11:23 AM

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