GAME 4: Charleston 71, Scott City 29

By Toby Carrig ~ Semoball.com

The Charleston Bluejays came into the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament with a very un-Charleston-like record of 2-5.

"I don't think we've been playing that bad," Charleston coach Danny Farmer said. "We've just played tough teams, and we kept losing close games."

Perhaps Friday's 71-29 victory against Scott City was a sign the Bluejays are tired of close games, and tired of losing.

After trailing 10-9 midway through the first quarter, Charleston scored 12 straight points and outscored the Rams 62-20 over the final 3 1/2 quarters.

Akeem Sharp hit two 3-pointers in that first-period scoring spree and hit three in the game while finishing with 13 points.

Donald Dixon, an all-tournament team performer here at the Show Me Center last year in this event, scored 17 to lead Charleston.

"They're just a better ballclub," said Scott City coach Lance Amick, who is replacing several starters from a team that was sixth here last year. "Coach Farmer does a good job and his kids do a good job."

The Rams, seeded 13th, fell to 2-4.

"It's the infancy of the season and the infancy of the guys we've got out there. We'll get better."

Cody Page was the only player in double figures for the Rams with 12.

Charleston fulfilled Farmer's game plan by wearing down the Rams with depth.

"We play about 10," Farmer said, "and they all play about the same."

Charleston was coming off a 55-50 loss to Gateway Tech in last Saturday's Heartland Hoopfest in Perryville. That was its most recent close loss.

The Bluejays remember the 51-46 loss in the SEMO Conference tournament against Cape Central, a team it could meet again in Saturday's quarterfinals.

"Cape was tough inside," Farmer said. "When we hold a team to 51 points, we should win the game. We just need to learn to finish. We play great defense, but don't shoot it well. If we're shooting well, we can beat anybody."

Even top-seeded Scott County Central?

"We want a shot at them," Farmer said.

SCOTT CITY (29) -- Josh Henson 2, Cory Schlosser 2, Cody Page 12, Tyler Glueck 2, Kaleb Eldridge 6, Caleb Anderson 3, Jake Campbell 2. FG 12, FT 5-14, F 12. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none.)

CHARLESTON (71) -- Antonio Riggins 2, Akeem Sharp 13, Terrell Smith 2, Mackenzie Ivy 4, Jeremy Spencer 3, Ronson Beard 4, Gregory Tucker 4, Damyon Caldwell 5, Deonte Jones 6, Demarques McKeller 5, Donald Dixon 17, Chase McClendon 6. FG 30, FT 6-10, F 17. (3-pointers: Sharp 3, Ivy 1, Caldwell 1. Fouled out: none.)