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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.. ...
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C6D1: Harris perfect from charity stripe as Indians ground Flyers in semis (3/2/24)ST. LOUIS — Against the pressure of the home crowd, Jackson senior Blayne Harris remained calm and composed as he sank all 13 free throws, including eight in the fourth quarter, to lead the Indians past the Lindbergh Flyers 62-55 in the semifinal round of the Class 6 District 1 Tournament on Saturday, March 2, at Lindbergh High School in St. Louis...
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C5D1: Cape Central survives Farmington’s late rally (3/2/24)The Cape Central Tigers managed to survive a late rally from the Farmington Knights as they escaped with a 52-47 win on Saturday at North County High School in the Class 5 District 1 semifinals. Cape Central opened the contest scorching hot as they quickly raced out to a 10-0 lead, prompting a Knights timeout just two minutes into the game...
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Notre Dame upsets undefeated Doniphan, wins sixth straight district championship (3/2/24)The Notre Dame girls’ basketball team won their sixth straight district championship by knocking off undefeated Doniphan 59-57 in the final round of the Class 4 District 1 Tournament on Friday, March 1, at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau...
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Delta punches state ticket, crushes Walnut Grove in dominant quarterfinal victory (3/2/24)Two teams combining for a total of four losses squared off in Delta on Friday night, with both the Bobcats and Walnut Grove seeking a place in the MSHSAA Class 1 semifinals and packing out the house for a ballistic quarterfinal environment. For Delta, though, the Bobcats didn’t waste any time reveling in the moment en route to a 61-43 victory and a spot in the final four next week at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri...
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Saxony Lutheran falls to St. Pius X in Class 3 quarterfinals (3/2/24)FESTUS - A stellar 2023-24 campaign by the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders came to an end with a 57-41 loss to the St. Pius X Lancers on Friday. The Crusaders finished the season with a record of 19-9 before falling in the Class 3 quarterfinals. “I’m super proud,” Crusaders coach Chris Crawford said. ...
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C4D1 BKB: Dexter holds off Kennett after late, furious Indian rally (3/1/24)STE. GENEVIEVE – For 28-plus minutes of its MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 boy’s basketball game against Dexter on Thursday, Kennett struggled at both ends of the court.
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C5D1: Mules march on, will face Sikeston in semis (3/1/24)BONNE TERRE — All the long practices, along with a tough schedule, have finally come down to this moment where the Poplar Bluff Mules must be ready to compete with some of the best teams in their district. The No. 4 seeded Mules got the first taste of the postseason on Thursday when they faced off against the No. 5 seed Hillsboro Hawks at North County High School in the opening round of the Class 5 District 1 Tournament...
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Sikeston rolls in district opener, defeats North County 90-35 (2/29/24)BONNE TERRE, Mo. – After an outstanding regular season, the Sikeston Bulldogs lost their first and only game one week ago to a talented Father Tolton Catholic squad in Columbia. There were questions on how the Bulldogs would respond after having their undefeated season snapped in the regular season finale, but Sikeston took care of business on Thursday in the Class 5, District 1 opener, dispatching of tournament host and eighth-seeded North County, 90-35...
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Tempers flare in sectional showdown, NMCC claims hard-fought win over Charleston (2/29/24)CHARLESTON, Mo. — Emotions boiled over as New Madrid County Central’s fight for back-to-back state titles took a chaotic turn in a heated 74-55 sectional round win at Charleston on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Both teams put in the work, scrapping for every board and loose ball, the intensity reflecting the high stakes of the rivalry matchup. However, it was the Class 3 No. 1 Eagles’ (25-3) championship mettle and veteran poise that ultimately outmatched the Bluejays (14-15) and the charged atmosphere...
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Doniphan, Notre Dame to meet in C4D1 title game (2/29/24)After an intense battle on Jan. 31 that saw Doniphan down Notre Dame 55-53, the two clubs will meet again on Friday night in the Class 4 District 1 championship game. After Doniphan (25-0) defeated Dexter 58-38 in the first semifinal, the Notre Dame Bulldogs (19-7) defeated Kennett 71-54 to set up the anticipated rematch...
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Neveah Lucious sets Notre Dame single-season blocks record (2/29/24)In Wednesday’s Class 4 District 1 semifinal win over Kennett, Notre Dame sophomore Neveah Lucious made history. With three blocked shots in the win, Lucious set the single-season record for blocks in a season, eclipsing Jane Morrill’s record of 87 set back in 2008...
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C4D1: Third quarter surge leads Notre Dame by Kennett (2/29/24)It was a tale of two halves on Wednesday night in the Class 4 District 1 semifinal matchup between Kennett and Notre Dame. When the final horn sounded, the Bulldogs emerged victorious with a 71-54 win to earn a trip to the C4D1 title game. “I saw an incredibly talented, skilled and hard-working Kennett team that gave us one of the toughest games we’ve played this year,” Bulldogs head coach Kirk Boeller said. “In the first half, 100% of the credit goes to Kennett.”...
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C5D1 GBK: Defense sparks Sikeston’s win over Windsor (2/29/24)HILLSBORO, Mo. — Wham! Bam! Pow! Sikeston landed blow after blow on Windsor, its pressure defense and explosive offense proving too much in a 75-59 opening-round victory in the MSHSAA Class 5 District 1 Tournament at Hillsboro High School on Wednesday, Feb. 28...
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Watkins has Bloomfield GBB on the rise after strong season of growth (2/29/24)The top eight girl’s basketball squads within MSHSAA Class 3 are still alive and competing as they take the courts on Friday in the quarterfinal round of the state tournament, and Bloomfield won’t be one of them after falling in its opening postseason game of the recent Class 3 District 2 Tournament. However, there isn’t any way that an observer of the Wildcat program this season could not find it to be an immense success.
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C1S1 BKB: Rebels get revenge on Reindeer in convincing fashion (2/29/24)ESSEX – A year ago, the Richland (Essex) boy’s basketball squad was riding the euphoria of winning the first MSHSAA Class 1 District 2 District title in decades and promptly went out in the Sectional round and lost to Clarkton 47-44. The 2023-24 version of the Rebels didn’t allow that missed opportunity to have a chance of happening again on Tuesday, as they handed the Reindeer a 48-33 loss in the MSHSAA Class 1 Sectional 1 at Richland (Essex) High School.
Basketball
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Delta girls basketball cancelling ND game20
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Class 1-3 Final Four Updates34
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Any Qaurter final predictions?14
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Boys & Girls class 1,2 & 3 predictions11
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New Madrid vs Charleston game3
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Sectional Predictions Classes 1-37
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Boys Class 4-6 district predictions1
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Class 5 #1 beats Class 3 #1 and not a word...15
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My current boys top 1026
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Best (and worst) gyms in Southeast Missouri8