SEMO Conference Tournament Bracket

I would like to present: The SEMO Conference Tournament Dissertation. One change: knowing that Big Darius Brown is not competing next week (per the information relayed by SemoSports), I would say that Charleston defeats Cape more convincingly than first thought.

(1) SIKESTON vs. (8) DEXTER--My team is back and didn't seem to have missed too many beats since last March (credit that to the fact most of these kids never stopped playing). Dexter is in a down period. Expect the Bulldogs to roll.

(4) NOTRE DAME vs. (5) JACKSON--I don't believe either team has played a game yet. I've heard good things about the Indians but ND has a lot of good guards. If the Blue Dogs are able to adjust quickly to a life without their former double team drawing machine in Tolbert, I think they win this game.

(2) CHARLESTON vs. (7) NEW MADRID--Saw both of these teams play at the Riverbend. Charleston has the Tucker-Parham show and has started to get some more out of their role players. I expect them to run through this game without much issue.

(3) CAPE CENTRAL vs. (6) POPLAR BLUFF--Cape has the inside presence of the Tisdell-Brown combination. Bluff is working through a rebuilding period. I think Cape is going to pull this one out as long the Mules hold them to another thirty point total (Please, for the love of the fans, don't make this another 36-29 game).

SEMI-FINALS: (1) SIKESTON vs. (4) NOTRE DAME--Both teams will have a lot of shooters. The difference is that the Red Dogs have more experience and more guys to run in. While ND is always very conditioned and rivalry games can sometimes lead to surprises, I think that the Red Dogs pull out another win in the rivalry.

(2) CHARLESTON vs. (3) CAPE CENTRAL--The toughest game for me to pick probably due to the contrasting strengths each team has. Both teams rely primarily on a couple of players and neither one relies on major depth. Cape has the size while Charleston has the speed/conditioning. I think it depends on which team dictates the tempo of the game as well as how Big Darius Brown continues to acclimate himself into the Cape system. Apparently, he has talent in finding the open man and was an assist machine in his first game (Doesn't Cape ALWAYS seem to have a guy who is an 'assist machine'?) along with being a big body on the floor. Can Tucker, Parham, Cassell, Hull, and the rest of that team get their shots in to win the game? I think so though it will be a hard fought contest. Charleston wins.

FINALS: THE RIVALRY-(1) SIKESTON vs. (2) CHARLESTON--It is a game that people have been geared up for since the end of last season. How does the combo that many are calling the most talented in SEMO, Tucker and Parham, compete with the stable of horses that Sikeston brings to the table. I think they play pretty well. However, two things will lead to what I believe will be Charleston's (or Cape's if they win) downfall. They interconnect as well. First of all, I can only name a grand total of one other team in the state of Missouri that can run as many different players on the floor as Sikeston does and not drop in talent (Soldan). As proven last night, the second five of Sikeston has as much, if not more talent in some spots than the first five. It was discussed all last year and should be discussed again. The players that come off the bench of an opponent are just as important in a Sikeston game as the starters are. Neither Charleston nor Cape have the breadth of guys waiting in the wings. At some point, either the top players will have to get out of the game or they will get tired. This leads into the second point in Sikeston's favor. Whoever makes the finals between Cape and Charleston is probably going to have to beat up the other in a physical game to get there. I don't care how conditioned the team is, look at the last two years in Class 3, District 1. Playing against two high quality opponents on back-to-back nights can really take a toll on a team, espectially in the beginning of the season when players haven't completely found their basketball form. The amount of depth Sikeston has as well as the high pressure and constant motion they create will wear down just about anyone. Even teams that try to control the tempo eventually start having to speed up. I think that it will be a great final between Sikeston and Charleston but the the Bulldogs have the advantage in maybe not the best player but the best overall team. I think they win 78-69.

You don't know if their more experienced? Were returning 4 players that saw time in all 30 games last year including the state championship game. They've played and all had a huge impact role in the biggest games of their lives. Our varsity this year played Corey, janiel, will, and Darryl everyday last year. And all four of them are playing a sport in college. Sikeston is by far the most experienced team in the SEMO area. And it shows on the court with the players basketball IQ,

Why I think we will make it a four peat this year:

1. Our shooting, we have yet to be forced to get the ball down low to Keldon and JT for our points, we can shoot it anywhere on the court, with multiple people. Every player can shoot the ball effiecntly somewhere on the court.

2. Our depth, we have players who come off the bench who can end up being the leading scorer of any game. That second 4-5 have done a great job this year so far and you have to realize they've only played three varsity games. They are only going to get better.

3. Our defense, we transition pretty well, our press needs a little bit of work. But were getting tons of steals per game, and we cause quite a few turnovers. Our zone has been spot on so far and your going to have to shoot just as good as us to beat us, and I honestly don't think anyone has even half the amount of shooters as us.

The cape charelston game is the most interesting game besides what should be the championship game. If sikeston meets cape or charelston in the finals it's going to be a good night of basketball with a great atmosphere

SemoSports, Sikeston has more experience on the big stage and more guys who saw significant varsity action last year. They have five guys who saw ample time and made contributions. I think of them as being the more experienced team. Take that for what it is worth.

Does anyone think that Cape may need to be put on upset alert against Bluff? The Mules went 2-1 at the Quincy round robin and Cape has not come out great so far this season.

It was 62-52 Farm. Apparently, the score hovered around a 7-12 point lead for Borgia for most of the game.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... Don't come back!!! LOL... Just kidding, I know we don't always agree but it is always fun debating with you on your favorite teams and my favorite team!

Still see Sikeston being tough for each team.

Charleston would have to get my vote as the other team in the Finals now if Darius Brown isn't playing for Cape. (I hope mentioning this kids name isn't an issue, Hemingway?)

I don't think ND's junior or sophomore classes have ever beat ours

Were talking about experience here bro, not prestige, not history, not my big head. Were talking about how sikestons top 10 players have more skill and more experience and most importantly more wins.

You can try again though!

Alright big man, you got me. What's embarassing is Sikeston is obviously the much better team this year, yet you're worried about some argument about experience. Who the hell cares?

Did sikeston beef up their schedule any after last year? I know most of their game slots were already full but I'm sure there were a few open days.

Farm....I normally respect your insights....I really do. I know we have our disagreements....but come on man! Sikeston finally wins a state title and you say "one state title in school history.....blah, blah, blah...." I knew someone would say that, but I'm surprised it was you. C'mon man!!

Cape will get to see two of the best juniors in the state go at it with Payne and Ruffin

Alright I was just curious, thought you guts were supposed to be in our tiger shootout last year but something happened where you didn't get in.

Come on now rocket, I say the only reason a team should go undefeated in basketball is if they have a team full of big time D1 talent. Otherwise they are playing teams below they're caliber. Besides, SCC seemed to do fine beefing up their schedule each year. That was partly because teams wanted to see Otto but still.

If Oak Hill played sikestons schedule they would be underrated over the past 30 years..

That was a terrible comparison.

My point is as much as you guys care(trying to start fights with other schools students.. Really??) and talk about sikeston and how good they are/ could be in the scheme of the basketball world, you fail in comparison.. And sideline I will give you this I do enjoy reading your material it's mostly the other sikeston posters..

FYI.. My money is on Urhahn

MakeItRain, we have a lot of pride in our school, sports programs, basketball team, and their accomplishments in Sikeston. It isn't too often a team around here can have a win streak like this other than SCC and Charleston a couple of times back in the day (some LONG streaks back then). I don't see why having pride is such a problem. We do have a bit of a chip-on-our-shoulder complex down here since we have been a top team in our class going on seven years now yet never could break through. Now that we have, the mentality that we have had for so long is essentially engrained in us anyway. It is a little like the Red Sox before they won in '04 where every year seemed like it came so close but something would get in the way. Now that we have a title, we will see how many bandwagoners in the town jump on.

On a different note, as has been stated all over this website, the fact that Sikeston doesn't get in with some of these powerhouse schools isn't their fault. We haven't had a top 50 player in the nation and we aren't quite a "name brand" school like an SCC or Borgia is since they have so many state titles and such. Also, we aren't in a city like St. Louis so some people doubt us even though I maintain that SEMO teams can compete with STL teams pretty well. All this crap about fights with students or whatever you are talking about, I don't know what you mean. I'm going to assume you aren't referring to me.

No clue what your talking about.

That's neat

It is a shame swaggin that sometimes people lump the whole population in with a few!

i thinks you mite be drinking on the coolaide there Bucko herkshisers. u relly think that charleston will beat skiston? i do not just do not at all.

How good your bench is really comes in affect in a game like Charleston/Sikeston. I know Charleston has Tucker and Parham but who other than that will hang with these players from Sikeston? Sikeston seems to always have a deep bench. Are there any players from Charleston that will step up late in the 3rd and 4th quarters? I'm curious to see how it all plays out. Are there any upsets possible in the first round?

Cheese....I will let the Charleston faithful field the question about who is on their bench.

I can address the first round games. The only "upset" I see...and I'm not sure I would call it an upset, would be #5 Jackson beating #4 ND. Again, I'm not sure that is an upset, but it's the only likely one in the first round. I don't see NMCC beating Charleston or PB beating Cape.

Are you coming to any of the games, Cheese?

Well if I do come it would be on Thursday or Friday. Cville plays Kennett tomorrow so you know where i'll be that night. Not sure on Cville's schedule the rest of the week but I'll let ya know in a day or two

Little note Sikeston has 2 state titles one in track an one in basketball.I know they stressing one title didnt know if they were referring to basketball as a whole....lmbo

Tucker and parham are great players. Tucker is the best player in the whole tournament, but best team wise I'd have to go with sikeston.

It'll definitely be a good game! Two of the best teams in the state going at it. I don't think anyone thinks it'll be a blowout. But I believe that sikeston will come out on top by about 8-10. We can agree to disagree haha

Doesn't Sikeston have to play Notre Dame and Charleston have to play Cape first? Not saying either one will lose, but can we get through the Thursday night games first??

for Charleston, Tuck and Ryan are without a doubt two of the best perimeter players in the area, however i cant believe no one has mentioned Jamaul (midrange) and Krush (lowpost). These guys deserve recognition as well.

Mike Hull fills it up pretty good. Charleston does some things defensively that could create some problems for teams. They had about three different looks defensively the other night verse NMCC.

But are those players the same caliber as the sikeston players coming off the bench? Sikestons second 5 can score just as many as the starting 5, which enables us to keep that hectic pace all game effectively

I wasn't saying that they weren't, I was just asking. I really don't know that much about them. Everyone knows their a great team and very well coached.