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Sikeston Bulldogs’ Blueprint for Success: Talent, teamwork, and tenacity
Sikeston basketball has a rich history, but this year’s team could be on the verge of something truly special.
The Bulldogs understand that talent is a gift, but hard work is a choice. It’s the relentless pursuit of excellence that separates the great from the good but it is still important to temper expectations with the understanding that success is earned, not given.
“You have to improve every day,” said veteran coach Gregg Holifield, who’s spent 27 seasons guiding Sikeston. “That’s our goal and objective. As a coach, you want to see improvement from the beginning to the end of the season. This team is capable of that if they continue to put in the daily work and maintain their strong habits.”
The Bulldogs have consistently reached the state playoff quarterfinals over the past two seasons, amassing a 50-10 record during that time. This year, they are poised to start the season as a top-ranked team and a serious state title contender.
“At the Class 5 level, you’re going to see great competition and we have the past two seasons,” Holifield said. “We compete every day. We don’t have starters, we have finishers. We want guys that will step up and do everything they can to get better. If we do those things, good things will follow.”
Sikeston will continue to push the pace and unleash its pressure-pack brand, a style that few teams can match.
“Defensive success boils down to working as hard as you can,” Holifield said. “We are an uptempo team on both ends of the court. Defensively, we must have pressure on the basketball, good positioning and rebounding, but that is an everyday task.”
Anchoring the Bulldogs’ lineup are a pair of future Southeast Missouri State Redhawks, PJ Farmer and Trace Sadler.
Farmer, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, has been a Semoball Award finalist each year of his high school career and is one of Missouri’s top prospects. Farmer, a do-it-all guard, averaged 14.3 points, 7.9 assists, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game, earning All-State honors in Class 5. His defensive skills were equally impressive, as he averaged 2.7 steals per game.
Holifield raved about Farmer’s basketball IQ and court vision, calling him “on another level,” with elite skill sets and leadership abilities.
From his sophomore to junior season, Sadler made significant strides in scoring around the basket, showcasing a newfound soft touch around the basket, improved footwork and some highlight-reel dunks, including alley-oop connections with Farmer.
His impressive AAU performance showcased his athleticism and coordination, as he effortlessly executed right-hand hook shots and rim-running dunks.
Sadler’s challenge will be to maintain his presence on the court by avoiding foul trouble, as his impact is diminished when he’s on the bench.
“All of our guys have improved,” Holifield said. “We are a senior-laden team. We also have juniors who have improved tremendously. I’ve been very proud of our work so far.”
Sikeston also boasts outstanding senior Tristan Wiggins, a 6-foot point guard and one of the top athletes in the area. Recently named honorable mention all-state in soccer, Wiggins averaged 12.5 points per game last season and joined Farmer on the all-conference team. His ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc and create his own offense makes him a valuable asset.
The Bulldogs’ starting five is rounded out by seniors LeKereon McCray and Chris Artis Jr., two players who could lead most teams in the area. McCray is a dynamic scorer capabhttps://x.com/cornbreadcowboi/status/1862906468191649977/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1862906468191649977¤tTweetUser=cornbreadcowboile of taking over a game, while Artis is a tenacious defender who can lock down the opposing team’s top threat.
“We have to share the basketball,” Holifield said. “That is the key to offensive success. We work every day on consistent movement and sharing the ball. If you have guys overdribbling or the ball sticking, that’s a problem for anyone.”
Seniors Jaharus Goodwin (6-foot-2), Malachi Davis (6-foot-1), and Marcus Sanders Jr. (6-foot) provide valuable depth to the roster, ready to step up when called upon.
Additionally, juniors such as Kobe Thomas (5-foot-10), Ben James (5-foot-11) and Will Lape (5-foot-11) have showcased the ability to contribute significantly to a team’s success.
“We have great kids who work hard,” Holifield concluded. “We’re all looking forward to the season.
“We understand where we are. We know that nothing good will happen if we don’t work.”
Sikeston opens the season at the Fountain City Classic on Dec. 2. The Bulldogs will compete in Class 5, District 1.