Crader do we get Cover it Live when Cape Central plays Notre Dame at the Show Me Center Monday? When Bernie plays at Notre Dame Friday?

This week I plan on adding a restaurant to the list of restaurants I have visited during sporting events this season. So far this season I have visited Kinsey's in New Madrid, The Freeze Queen in Libourn, The Sugar Shack in Campbell, Strawberry's in Holcomb, Park-Et Fine Foods in Perryville, and the China Buffet in Sikeston. Does anyone have a recommendation for Wardell, Missouri? I plan on eating in Wardell on Tuesday when I watch Risco play North Pemiscot. Where should I eat?

turfman

It sounds like I will be eating at the Mustang on Tuesday. What should I order? Feel free to join me at the Mustang around 5:15 p.m. basketball fans.

I'm at the North Pemiscot School anxiously awaiting the start of one of the biggest games of the season. Tonigh't game between North Pemiscot and Risco features arguably the best teams in Class 1 District 1.

Note: The JV game will only last two quarters. Therefore, the varsity game will start early.

The BBQ and baked beans at the Mustang were outstanding.

Opinion: I am glad to see the concession stand at the North Pemiscot School offers a variety of diet sodas. I had the option of drinking Pepsi One, Diet Coke, Diet Mountain Dew, or Diet Dr. Pepper. It is great to finally have a choice.

Enough about food and sodas. I'll provide scores updates for this classic beginning at 7 p.m. I would love to see updates from the Dexter / Richland game posted.

At halftime Risco leads North Pemiscot 40-30.

5:24 remaining Risco leads North Pemiscot 64-63.

3:33 North Pemiscot leads 71-67.

0:56 79-73 North Pemiscot.

Dexter leads Richland 50-45 in the fourth quarter.

Late in the 4th quarter, Dexter leads Richland by 10. Must be a rowdy game. I've been told several people have been removed from the building.

Dexter over Richland 71-55

Poplar Bluff defeats NMCC 57-45

Does anyone have scores from the Bootheel Conference Tournament at Senath? I'll be up until 2 a.m. working on assignments so if anyone hears scores for this tournament please post them later.

Does Portageville play Caruthersville Thursday? What time? What are the times for the semifinal games in this tournament?

I believe the Dexter game starts at 8:30

End of 3rd Bernie 34 Dexter 32

43-42 Dexter with 1:18 left.

46-45 Dexter with 11 seconds left.

Bernie wins it at the buzzer. What a game.

Coming out of a timeout with 0:11 remaining Bernie drove the length of the floor and passed the ball inside to Jake Owens. . . Surrounded by Dexter defenders Owens hit a jumpshot at the buzzer to defeat Dexter 47-46. Jake Smith had 18 rebounds for Bernie. Jake Welch had 10 steals. This is the first time Bernie has won the Stoddard County Tournament since head coach, Brad Botsch was a senior at Bernie.

Bloomfield after trailing by double digits at halftime outscored Richland by approximately 20 points in the third quarter. Bloomfield defeated Richland 80-69.

Poor cell phone service prevented live updates.

How did Richland get outscored 31-8? I find it hard to believe that's all they put up in a quarter. I also can't believe Bloomfield scored that many in a quarter without Hensley.

drawmules

Either way you should see a good game. See you next time around.

The JV contest between NMCC and Scott County Central is headed to overtime tied at 63.

Observation: Hatchett started the varsity contest between ScottCounty Central and NMCC. Last week there were reports he might not play in this game due to an injury. He is on the floor and very effective in the first quarter.

Scott County Central leads NMCC 18-0 with 4:00 remaining in the first quarter.

At the end of the first quarter SCC leads NMCC 21-18.

NMCC has taken the lead 24-23 with 6:00 remaining in the second quarter. I have to admit I thought the game was over when Scott County Central jumped out to an 18-0 lead. Never give up. But don't count on always being able to overcome an 18 point deficit in six minutes every night.

49-49 with 3:30 remaining in the third quarter as the student section for NMCC begins the chant "Let's Get Fired Up."

I agree. I wish the atmosphere was . . . well I guess LOUDER.

5:12 remaining SCC leads 60-58.

3:12 remaining 62-62.

70-63 SCC 0:58 remaining

0:14 71-69 SCC sCC at the free throw line.

Note: I hope by the time I am home someone from somewhere has posted semifinal scores from the tournaments at Chaffee and Senath.

Oak Ridge 80 Meadow Heights 67

Leopold beat Zalma by 5

How can you rank NMCC above SCC when SCC just beat them at New Madrid 3 hours ago. I would rank them:

1. SCC

2. Sikeston

3. Poplar Bluff

4. Notre Dame

5. NMCC

I know that Notre Dame has beaten SCC and Sikeston, but losses to Cape Central and Bluff Drop them. NMCC has split with ND, lost to Bluff, and were blown out by Sikeston. Whoever wins the SCC/Sikeston game should be #1. I think its a toss up without Stewart Johnson, before Christmas I don't think Sikeston could have touched them. SCC might lose a close one next Wednesday, but I think they will run the table after that and repeat in Class 1.

LOL eagle agent 00

Notre Dame is better now. I watched them play at the beginning of the year and I've watch them play twice and the last 10 days and trust me they are better now.

As I watched tonight's game, I kept asking myself who will win the NMCC / Kennett game. I'm not convinced the team that wins the regular season game will win the district championship game. I think NMCC and Kennett are close enough to each other that the extra motivation the team that loses the first game will have in the second game could be the difference in the second game if there is a second game.

Let me say this regarding the rankings . . . Some years it easy to rank the teams . . . this is not one of those years . . . it's too balanced this year to rank the teams without making someone upset. I try to rank the teams accurately. I look at a several factors including strength of schedule, overall record, SEMO conference record, and play in the last month. Poplar Bluff had high marks in most of these categories when I released my Feb. 1 rankings. However . . . I think Sikeston and Poplar Bluff have an equal chance of winning on Friday. The rubric I used to rank the teams says Poplar Bluff is a better team. However, I have a gut feeling Sikeston will beat Poplar Bluff.

Sigmund Freud might argue I have subconsciously developed this gut feeling because I have watched Sikeston play more basketball games than any team this year with the exception of Bernie. There might be something to Freud's argument. I am unsure if Freud enjoyed basketball, however. Therefore, I am unsure if we can use his psychoanalytic theory to explain why I have a gut feeling Sikeston will beat Poplar Bluff.

What does everyone else think LOL???

The only reason I have NMCC ranked over SCC is because no one expected NMCC to hang in there with the #1 team in class one. Everyone expected a blowout(even me after the beginning of that game). NMCC fought all four qtrs and never gave up when they were down. I feel that if NMCC came out the gates playing to their full potential, they very well could have one the game. If this game were to be replayed anytime before the season was over, I believe NMCC could/would win. SCC is a very good team, but I have seen better SCC teams than this years. Idk wat it is about them this year, but they will make a run @ repeating state champions and probably will succeed.

"The only reason I have NMCC ranked over SCC is because no one expected NMCC to hang in there with the #1 team in class one." --- eagle agent 00

That's a unique perspective on ranking teams eagle agent, unlike any I've seen.

Your rankings are the best I've seen for an area top 5, bean. Unless Sikeston or ND lose a game heading into districts, that tie won't be broken until the District Championship game.

If there are any cancellations please post. I'm headed out the door with a suitcase just incase I have to stay at a motel after the Notre Dame / Bernie game due to deteoriating road conditions. I will check for cancellations later this afternoon on my phone.

Actually, you should be rooting for SHS anyway Farmboy if you want ND to have its best shot at winning the conference. PB is undefeated in conference play.

ND's fate is in their own hands. All they have to do is win out and they are guaranteed a tie. If Sikeston wins out, they are guaranteed a tie with ND or Bluff. If Bluff wins out, they are outright champs.

It definitely has not happened much. Maybe Jackson a few years back with Jake Leet and Goodman? Brutal league. Tough to win on the road in the SEMO Conference.

I hope to see live updates posted on this thread for the Sikeston / Poplar Bluff game, the Mississippi Valley Conference Championship and the Bootheel Conference Championship.

If the weather is not too bad I may drive to Chaffee to watch the second half of the Mississppi Valley Conference Championship. I've done the math and I think I could get to Chaffee by 9:15 p.m.

Drawmules-

why I have a gut feeling Sikeston will beat Poplar Bluff.

What does everyone else think LOL???

- UMMMM,,Probably because WE already beat them. ( right after football was over with limited practice)...Thats not what i think..thats what i know..lol

respectthegame

What happens in December stays in December.

I'm going with Sikeston by 18. Sikeston always plays well at home and seem to be playing their best basketball right now. While I haven't seen Poplar Bluff play this calendar year, their guards really looked shaky when I saw them earlier this season. Tonight is going to be a good opportunity to see if they have gotten better and changed that. My gut tells me two things....Sikeston won't be able to hold Raulston to under 20 points....but their guards are going to be able to create over 20 turnovers.

Well then you don't be making excuses if Sikeston happens to lose...because you sound like the type to do it.

Sources tell me the Bernie bus broke down on Interstate 55. As a result, the Bernie / Notre Dame game may start late.

It started at 6:03 p.m.

When next week Crader?

I'm still at Notre Dame. The varsity game will begin in approximately 15 minutes. It is my understanding it is snowing very hard outside.

Bulldogs trail Bluff 8-0 out of the gate. Sikeston is having a lot of trouble with Bluff's press.

Sikeston with 5 turnovers. Down 12-0

Bluff is having zero trouble with Sikeston's press. Sikeston has missed 4 point blank shots, but they did manage a little run. At the end of the first, Bluff leads 17-12.

Make that 3-3, now 21-19.

The trap has worked well. Once down 13, Sikeston has forced some turnovers and has now taken the lead 24-23.

At the end of the first quarter Notre Dame leads Bernie 15-8. Bernie was 0-5 on 3's in the first quarter.

Observation: The Dawg Pound if full of students that are barking like crazy tonight.

Sikeston begins the half with a turnover and Greg Coble scores. Raulston has been fairly quiet and Coble is leading the way for Bluff with 12 points so far. While I'm typing, Coble adds another extend Bluff's lead to 4.

Coble scores AGAIN. He is simply moving back and forth across the free throw line. His teammates are finding him inside the zone and he's hitting the jumpers. I believe he now has 20 on the night. Score is 39-34 Bluff.

Sikeston with two quick steals, two buckets and a chance for an old-fashioned three point play. Free throw no good. dogs trail by one.

Dogs with ANOTHER steal. That's three trips in a row with a steal.

Janiel Hatchett with a Julius Ervingesque scoop from behind the backboard. Sikeston takes the lead 40-39.

Sikeston forces another turnover off the trap. That might be about 5 in a row. Bluff calls timeout down 3.

Holifield scores a 2 and Sikeston gets ANOTHER steal. Dogs with the ball up by 4. Hatchett hits a 3. Dogs by 7.

Sikeston with another steal and Jamison is fouled on the drive. Makes them both. Dogs by 9.

Holifield for 2. Dogs by 13.

Hatchett is fouled and makes one of two. Dogs by 11.

Dogs with another steal. Jamison is fouled and is at the line. Makes one. Dogs by 13.

Wiggins with an offensive board and a put back. Dogs by 15.

Dogs with another steal. Jamison nails a 3. Dogs by 18.

Another steal and a lay-up. Dogs by 20.

The bums have begun the "just like football" chant.

Hatchett with a free throw. Dogs lead 70-48.

At the end of the third quarter Notre Dame leads Bernie 53-30.

Notre Dame defeats Bernie 72-47.

I hope you're right, semolian. We have a tough test in districts first, though. ND is playing very well.

Ahem. Sikeston will have to beat Note Dame before they make it to Borgia. And if it wasnt for private schools, there would be no competition for the public schools so GET OVER IT!!!

I already mentioned ND, bball2010...chill.

Thank you btw. But im tired of the hating on private schools who apparently recruit. But last time i checked public schools recruit it is very well known, just thought that should be brought to light.

Wow, bball2010, someone gets a little testy when a team not named ND gets a little credit. And nobody on the board brought up anything about recruiting until you did right now. We just want to talk about the most impressive looking team tonight from the best game, Sikeston. Stop starting drama on here.

I'll give sikeston all the credit in the world for beating a very good poplar bluff team, because they fought back from a pretty big deficit, and that takes a lot of heart.

The seating capacity of Dexter's new gym will definitely get tested on February 26th.

I think it depends on what you call "recruited". I don't think coaches or administrators from the private schools go out actively looking for kids. Maybe they do, but I don't think so. At least I've never seen it or even heard any strong evidence to suggest it. But I do know the following scenario happens: Parents of kids from different towns who know each other, and friends who know each other and grew up playing youth ball with each other, get together and have a conversation that goes like this: "Hey, my kid and so and so's kid are going to X private school. Just think if your son and Joe Blow's son went to the same school, think of what a good team we could have." I know these conversations take place because I have been involved in them. The end result is kids being enticed (notice I didn't say recruited) to attend a private school together - for the sole purpose of being on very talented sports teams. A public school only has that option if the family actually moves to the school district. Now, that may or may not be "recruiting", but it is without question an avenue that private schools take advantage of. It's not cheating, but it undoubtedly leads to an advantage. I don't blame them for doing it, but I do blame MSHSAA for not dividing the private and public schools. In my opinion, owing to the above, the private schools hold a definite advantage.

Sikeston held Raulston to 6 points and Eljie Johnson to zero points.

bball2010,

I appreciate your last comment, and I've thought the same thing. It would definitely water down the competition for both public and private schools. But, coming from a public perspective, it is tough to know that you are playing against kids who, if everyone had to play by the same rules, would be playing for your team and not the opponent. It's very hard to watch that game winning shot, touchdown pass or base hit executed by a young athlete who lives down the street from you, grew up playing youth ball with you, but decided to drive 40 miles so he could play with other ringers from the region. It is almost like all-star teams playing rec-league. The private schools get to dance with everyone at the party, while the public schools have to dance with whoever brought them.

I can always dream! One final comment (maybe!), occasionally, I have conversations with private school folks who agree that they have a competitive advantage. For me, that's all I want. It is difficult for me to keep a straight face when private school folks try to argue they don't have an advantage...or even worse when they claim a disadvantage due to the state mandated enrollment multiplier. I just don't know what to say to that. I was born in the night, but it wasn't last night.

i agree there is an advantage due to the wide range of players who can play for these teams, but the same thing happens in public school too, its just not as well publicized.

The problem with MSHSAA's first try at a separation, the big problem was that it would not allow for public and private to play even during the regular season, which would force teams to travel to St. Louis for games weekly, which would be a horrendous schedule for high school students who also have school to deal with believe it or not, its not all athletics.

Personally, I'd have no problem with regular season games - just not the state tournaments.

Where are the starting infield for the #1 ranked ND Bulldog baseball team all from? Is it true that all 4 players grew up and live in Sikeston

or have moved to the cape area just to play at ND?

I'm not telling but asking. I have heard this and want to know the truth about it. Seems Sikeston would be a little better this year if kids were allowed to attend Sikeston no matter where they live.

they are not my sikeston bulldogs. lets be politically correct now.

Football monkey: I might be mistaken, but I thought anyone could go to any public school, even one not in their district, as long as they pay tuition. Is that true? Would they be an eligible athlete if they did?

And the ones that just graduated?

Irishgirl,

I don't know the rules inside/out, but in general, I think you're right. A student can attend a school outside of their district if they pay tuition, but there are guidelines in place regarding athletics. For example, (and again, don't take this as gospel, I could be wrong) it is my understanding that a student who lives in Sikeson's school district could pay to go to school at Charleston. However, he or she would be ineligible for sports competition for one year. There are exceptions and several other details to that rule, but that is the basic understanding I have. It is all laid out on MSHSAA's website, but it is very long and very complicated. I've read it a dozen times and still don't fully understand it. I know Sikeston had 2 kids transfer in over the past 2 years who would have been tremendous assets to the sports teams, but both transferred during their senior years and neither were eligible to compete under MSHSAA guidelines. At least that is what I was told.

I thought the Young kid was born and raised in Sikeston and went to public school there as well. Just what I thought and thanks for the info Monkey.

MY bad, nice to converse with others about this and not get yelled at.

How about that reverse layup from Janiel Hatchett in the second half. As good as I have seen all year.

CONTD'..and as far as i am concerned..im proud of every southeast missouri team on those overall state records..usually KC and STL own those rankings but we are making some noise..if ND was the only team on there i would cheer for them..im cheering for every bootheel team in the playoffs and state playoffs..its not that serious for u to bash us like that..u are annoying

Anybody have any updates on the ticket sales at the Show Me center for the game on Wed. The announcer at Sikeston said the game is almost sold out. Not sure I believe that but it could be.

AND, Sikeston is one less player deep. With the departure of Nuquavious Dixon, Sikeston's rotation consists of: Wiggins, Holifield, Hatchett, Jackson, Howard, Porter and Jamison. The sophomore, Jamison, stepped up big tonight with 12 points and he was solid with the ball and from the line. Look for him to be a big part of this team down the stretch and for the next 2 seasons. With Dixon gone, Martez Evans may be called on for more minutes.

What happened to Dixon just wondering. Hatchett seems to have really stepped up for them though.

dont worry about it..they are not your bulldogs..keep it moving

Is he a soph or jr?

Hatchett seems to be the leading scorer for them now, he really earned his playing time.

PS: respectthegame the team does not bother me, I can give credit where due fans just bug me somettimes.

I don't understand that role players are some of the biggest parts of high school basketball. It's what defines a team.

Remember this name: J.T. Jones. He is in the eighth grade and has some real talent.

They have a very good shot at title next year(this year too) because nd will lose their strong senior leadership and Borgia has a lot of seniors too

My pleasure, drawmules. I was bored and it was fun.

Nope. I was at home sitting in front of the tv with my laptop. I don't have that type of texting skill.

Oh...haha. That explains SO much. I was starting to think you were super-human. I forgot about that newfangled television technology. :)

Some say I am super-human. Just not super-techno-human.

I love SPS TV for basketball, but don't like it as much for football. When the weather gets bad late in the football season, the temptation to stay home and watch the game on TV is too great. Even with Sikeston's recent amazing football season, it wasn't until the last 3 home games that the stands were actually full. Many folks just didn't want to brave the elements when they could watch it from the comfort of home.

How did I know you would know that, drawmules?

Pahaha that's great. Yea there are certain parts of the building the bleachers on the west side seem to have better reception.

bball2010

The cell phone service at the bottom is much better the cell phone service at the top of the bleachers.

But that is the only reason they were not live, MSHSAA rules. Otherwise they would have been and that is a shame. The Tailgate party alone was worth going to the Ladue game. College like atmoshphere.

By the way, drawmules, you should write a book chronicling your season-long basketball adventure. You could include all kinds of interesting stuff about life in rural America seen from the perspective of a high school basketball gym.

I have some paperwork I have to get caught up on tomorrow. However, I do plan on attending the Cape Central / Poplar Bluff game Saturday night unless the Leopold / Oak Ridge game is played on Saturday.

good point football monkey, I wasn't thinking about football. It's a shame that some schools don't even have enough to field a football team, where as others it seems could start their own combine training camps.

So Cape-PB is tomorrow? PB may be dragging in that game.

drawmules, if you write it... we will buy and read it. I think football monkey had a GREAT idea. The suggestion of including all kinds of interesting stuff about life in rural America seen from the perspective of a high school basketball gym sounds like a great read to me. Hoosiers is one of our favorite movies, I'm willing to bet a book about hometown southeast Missouri high basketball wrtten by you could be on of our favorite books.

mandm96, thanks for the info on the tickets. We were told at the sikeston game that the place was starting to sell out. I found that hard to believe. I think there will end of being a good crowd but not like last year.

Richland also defeated Risco by 5.

Any chance the Oak Ridge / Leopold game will be played on Saturday night?

I'm sure they'll get it played tonight. Doesn't look like there's a chance of any precipitation according to KFVS.

FarmBoy06

I haven't heard there are plans to play the game tonight. I would definitely think playing the game tonight would be more appropriate than playing the game Wednesday (the night of the Scott Count Central / Sikeston game).

However, if I had to give a prediction, I would predict this game will not be played Saturday night. I hope I am wrong.

I'm in Poplar Bluff anxiously awaiting the start of the Cape Central / Poplar Bluff game. It is Homecoming tonight!!! This brings up an interesting question. How did Homecoming originate in the United States? Homecoming and basketball have absolutely nothing in common, in my opinion. I would love to share my thoughts about all of the Homecomings I have observed in the last 20 years with the creative mind that was in charge of the first Homecoming in the United States.

It will be interesting to see how Poplar Bluff recovers after last night's loss to Sikeston. I'll go with Poplar Bluff by 10. But you never really know which team will show up for a big game on Saturday, especially a Homecoming game.

The large crowd at the Poplar Bluff gymnasium is not going crazy yet. After four minutes of play only four points are on the scoreboard. Poplar Bluff leads Cape Central 4-0.

5:28 remaining in the second quarter Poplar Bluff leads Cape Central 9-8.

Three Rivers leads State Fair 27-20 at halftime.

Cape Central was hotter than a infrared burner the las four minutes of the first half. At halftime Cape Central leads Poplar Bluff 21-17.

3:00 remaining in third. Cape Central and Poplar Bluff are tied at 27.

#44 for Cape Central, the center, just picked up his fourth foul.

6:53 remaining 33-33

Sounds like they are about to scrap in PB!

The way they talked on the radio was that there was a pile up on the floor and Eljie wasn't happy with something that was going on in the bottom of that pile.

0:33 Cape Central leads 46-42

0:17 Cape Central 48-45.

Poplar Bluff ball at halfcourt. Timeout.

Thanks for the scores drawmules. Tough couple of days for PB. I think they will regroup and return to better form. Notre Dame will probably be in for a game next week.

Cape beats PB and ND. Makes next Fridays game a little more interesting.

Note: This is a new semoball forum post record. 266 posts on this thread so far. More people are visiting semoball every week.

I'd still give PB the top spot in their district. I would have to take into consideration the fact that PB just played Sikeston Friday night before playing Cape Saturday afternoon.

cape will have to beat jackson tonight to get the 1 seed.