Basketball

MARBLE HILL, Mo. — It’s not often the start that counts but rather how a team finishes. Woodland jumped to an early 12-3 lead but saw that edge quickly evaporate on its way to a 59-48 home defeat to Delta on Monday, Jan. 20, in Marble Hill. The Cardinals were within three after both the first quarter (19-16) and halftime (28-25) but just couldn’t find a way to push through and take a second-half lead. The Cats lead was 48-35 entering the final quarter...

It’s been a long time coming for Doniphan. Ever since Notre Dame sullied their perfect season in the Class 4 District 1 championship game last year, the Donettes wanted nothing more than to come back to Cape Girardeau and avenge their lone loss. The Donettes got their revenge with a 40-34 win over the Bulldogs on Monday, Jan. 20, at Notre Dame Regional High School...

Paige Klipfel's buzzer-beating 3-pointer clinched a thrilling 52-49 win for Kelly over rival Scott City. The senior's decisive shot sealed a back-and-forth game, with Kelly improving to 6-6 on the season.

Cape Central edged Scott City 53-51 with TySeanDre’ Edwards' buzzer-beater layup. The junior shooting guard led with 16 points, sealing a pivotal road win for the Tigers.

MURRAY, Ky. – The Sikeston Bulldogs have been the road warriors since mid-December and with a beefed up schedule have seen some top teams this season. That continued on Monday in the Graves County Eagles Classic at Murray State University’s CFSB Center where Sikeston took on Warren County Central out of Bowling Green, Ky...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Scott City walked into East Prairie on Friday, Jan. 17, knowing what was at stake—the top spot in the Scott-Mississippi Conference—and left with a 59-52 victory that was as hard-earned as it was sweet. The Rams (11-2, 5-0 Scott-Mississippi) displayed mental toughness when the Eagles (10-3, 5-1 Scott-Mississippi) pushed for control in the second half, answering each challenge with methodical offensive sets and defensive discipline...

The task of beating Puxico in varsity boy’s basketball is a daunting one, and it becomes that much more difficult for Indian opponents if they aren’t at full strength.

There is no girl’s basketball program throughout Southeast Missouri in recent seasons that has carried the weight of expectations heavier on their shoulders than the program at Delta High School.

Six semoball teams made the trip to Jackson High School to participate in the Lady Indian Showcase, which the Jackson Indians hosted. Delta vs Dexter The Delta Bobcats defeated the Dexter Bearcats 77-46 behind a big day from senior Jade Berry. Berry put up 36 points with eight three-pointers made along with countless steals and assists, getting all of her teammates involved. Lilli Boitnott was also a double-figure scorer with 17...

ST. LOUIS – Following Sikeston’s disappointing loss to Farmington on Tuesday, coach Gregg Holifield went back to the basics in the next two practices with his team. An intensive film session along with practices geared towards toughness and attitude were the focal points throughout the week...

The Scott City Rams won a crucial Scott-Miss Conference matchup on the road against the East Prairie Eagles on Friday in East Prairie. The Rams were led by the duo of Kobe Watson and Braeden Walton, who both scored 17 points, while Jaylen Rulo added 13 points...

Brett Dohogne scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Notre Dame to a 63-38 win at home over Class 4 District 1 rival Kennett on Friday, Jan 18, in Cape Girardeau. Home games have been rare in the first half of Notre Dame's schedule, but the Bulldogs have capitalized on all of them, posting a 3-0 record thus far...

JACKSON – The Dexter High School varsity girl’s basketball squad hasn’t faced its counterpart from Delta High School in at least two decades, and given Saturday’s affair with the Ladycats, the Bearcats may want to wait that long again before competing with the MSHSAA Class 1 program.

Fifth-year South Pemiscot High School varsity boy’s basketball coach Jordan McGowan is taking a strategic approach to getting his team through a harried month of January from a physical conditioning perspective.

SIKESTON — Charleston’s offense, flowing through a diverse group of playmakers, turned up the heat Thursday night, securing an 89-64 win at Scott County Central. The Blue Jays (8-6, 3-1 SEMO) pushed their win streak to three with the victory over the Braves (3-9, 1-3 Scott-Mississippi), steadily pulling away after each quarter behind a lethal mix of perimeter shooting, fast-break execution, and intense defensive pressure...

SIKESTON — When Olivia Wagoner barreled through defenders for layups after layup, it was clear the weight room had become her second home.  Stronger and more aggressive than ever, Wagoner’s power and polish set the tone as Notre Dame overwhelmed Sikeston 63-25 on Thursday at the Field House...

The Jackson Indians girls basketball team defeated the Cape Central Tigers 64-36 on Thursday at the Jackson High School Event Center. The Indians have bested the Tigers in the last 19 matchups, a streak dating back to December 20, 2012, when Central defeated Jackson in the Holiday Tournament...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — A win over a state-ranked team can shift momentum — and rankings.  Portageville showed it belongs in the conversation with Missouri’s best, dispatching Class 2, No. 9 Chaffee 54-37 on Tuesday, Jan. 14.  While the Lady Bulldogs (11-3, 3-0 Bootheel Conference) have been left just outside the top 10 in Class 3 polls, this signature victory could be enough to finally push them into the rankings...

St. Vincent girls basketball dominates Grandview 68-22 in its JCAA opener, fueled by a strong outside shooting performance. With this win, the Indians improve to 12-1 for the season.

From wire-to-wire control against Kelly to punishing fast-break attacks over Scott County Central, East Prairie’s latest Scott-Mississippi Conference victories came with authority. The Eagles (10-2, 5-0 Scott-Mississippi Conference) won 73-55 over the Hawks (1-11, 0-4 Scott-Mississippi Conference) on Monday, maintaining control throughout the game despite a few uncharacteristic mistakes...

BERNIE – Eighteen years plus an extra day has traversed since former Bernie High School basketball player Marcus Massey sank a jump shot at the buzzer to knock off Stoddard County rival Dexter, which set off a wild celebration of Mules jumping all over each other.

ORAN, Mo. — Oran came out of the gate like a team on a mission, using stifling defense to keep Kelly on its heels during a 76-51 victory on Tuesday, Jan. 14.  The Eagles (6-7, 2-2 Scott-Mississippi Conference) came out with relentless intensity, holding the Hawks (1-11, 0-4 Scott-Mississippi Conference) to just two made shots in the opening quarter and building an 18-4 lead...

Poplar Bluff's Ireland Gowen and Kennett's Alyce Edwards put on a scoring display during Thursday night's high school girls basketball game at Mules Gymnasium. Gowen had 25 points and (unofficially) 20 rebounds for the Lady Mules, but it was 37 points from Edwards — the reigning SEMO Conference Player of the Year — that proved decisive as she led her Kennett Lady Indians to a 54-51 win...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Triple-doubles aren’t supposed to be this easy — let alone two in one game.  But Sikeston’s Marlie Crook and Kennedi Sims made it look routine, each delivering all-around stat lines in a 58-40 road win over New Madrid County Central on Monday. ...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — In a season marked by steady progress, Charleston hit a new high with a definitive dismantling of New Madrid County Central on Tuesday, Jan. 14.  The 88-35 victory over the Eagles (2-10, 0-3 SEMO Conference) stands as the largest in the rivalry for at least two decades and may very well be the dominant ever —  a statement that underscores just how far the Blue Jays (7-6, 3-1 SEMO Conference) have come this season...

Chaffee surges in the third quarter to defeat Scott City 59-43 in a thriller quickly turned sour. Despite early foul troubles, Chaffee's strong second-half performance ensured their first home win in the rivalry since 2021.

Holcomb Hornets continue their home dominance with a 67-52 win over Campbell, marking their third consecutive home victory.

The Woodland Cardinals girls basketball team defeated the Oak Ridge Blue Jays 66-44 on Wednesday at Oak Ridge High School to win their fourth straight BCS Tri-County Conference Tournament championship. Woodland led 13-7 after the first quarter, scoring most of their points on fast breaks after forcing Oak Ridge to turn the ball over...

Advance High School varsity boy’s basketball coach Dalton Wilson is only in his second season of leading his alma mater, so he has not become entrenched in a specific strategy or style of play, aside from the tenets of effort and smart decision-making.

DEXTER – The story of the Bloomfield High School varsity boy’s basketball season this winter has been a familiar refrain of limited offensive production. That continued on Tuesday, as the Wildcats were limited to single digits in the first three periods of their 47-37 loss to Dexter in the Bearcat Event Center.

SIKESTON — Scott County Central pulled away in the second half to beat Charleston 63-35 on Monday at Ronnie Cookson Gymnasium. Behind the strong inside play, the Bravettes (6-7, 2-1 Scott-Missippi Conference) used a dominant second half to secure the win as senior Nikki Adams and freshman Freshman Madison Klaffer controlled the paint at both ends of the floor, combining for 45 points, 28 rebounds and 10 blocks while shooting better than 60 percent from the field...

FARMINGTON, Mo. – The Farmington Knights served notice to the state that they may have something to say when the district tournament comes around in March. Farmington, ranked ninth in the state in Class 5, defeated the state’s No. 1 ranked team Sikeston 81-74 at the Black Knight Fieldhouse on Tuesday night...

HAYTI – When the South Pemiscot High School varsity boy’s basketball squad visited Hayti on Tuesday, in many ways, it was like looking in the mirror. Both teams are young, if not inexperienced, and both groups unleash a flurry of frenetic energy at both ends of the floor.

On Tuesday, the Cape Central Tigers boys basketball team defeated the Notre Dame Bulldogs 43-33 at Cape Central High School. Cape Central High School began the evening by holding a moment of silence for Jess Bolen, an alumni and local legend who passed away on January 13...

Meadow Height High School’s girls basketball team lost 73-41 to Oak Ridge in a BCS Tri-County Girls Basketball Conference Tournament game played at Woodland. Hosted by Oak Ridge, the tournament was moved to Woodland for Jan. 14 due to a scheduling issue at Oak Ridge...

Senath-Hornersville Lions beat Malden 72-42 with a barrage of three-pointers.

The Poplar Bluff Mules wrestling team made the most of its home debut on Tuesday. The Mules took a 56-10 win over the Kennett Indians on the boys side, while the Lady Mules lost 40-6, but split its two matches on the mat. Zekey Camden (144 pounds), Noah Perkins (157), Karson Rolland (165) and Karter Blanchard (215) all pinned their opponents, while Branson Crum (138) won by technical fall when he went ahead 18-0 in his match. ...

Na’Shaun Davis scored 21 points but it wasn't enough as Saxony Lutheran fell to New Athens 75-47 in the Chester tournament on Monday, Jan. 13, in Chester, Ill. The Crusaders held a 10-7 lead early on only to have New Athens rally back and take an 11-10 lead after consecutive field goals by the Yellowjackets...

Halle Jamerson joins Senath-Hornersville's 1,000-point club, scoring 25 points in a game against Malden.

The South Pemiscot High School varsity boy’s basketball team had an extended layoff through the holidays but finally got back into action last week with three games, two of which were victories.

Given its struggles offensively this basketball season, the fact that the Bloomfield varsity boys squad has battled its way to seven victories with 10 regular season games, as well as the Stoddard County Athletic Association Tournament and postseason, remaining, is fairly impressive.

ADVANCE – There have been moments for the Advance High School varsity boys basketball squad this season where it showed its potential. That was the case on Monday against Class No. 8-ranked Richland (Essex). However, as it has been all season, sustaining that ability ultimately cost the Hornets, as the Rebels dominated 70-41 at Advance High School.

JOPLIN, Mo. — The Life Prep Fire used a strong second quarter to overcome an early deficit and defeat the Poplar Bluff Mules boys basketball team 53-45 Saturday in the third-place game at the Kaminsky Classic. The Mules (7-6) led 20-9 after the opening period, but Life Prep used an 18-5 edge in the second quarter to take a 27-25 lead to the locker room. Life Prep then pushed its lead to 45-36 by the start of the fourth quarter...

There will be no secrets kept between the varsity girl’s basketball teams of Dexter and Kennett when the two squads matchup on Monday at Kennett at 7:30 p.m. The Bearcats (5-6) and Indians (7-5) are seeing each other for the third time in the last two months. The teams competed in the Kennett Jamboree in November before facing each other in the SEMO Conference Tournament last month, which resulted in a 58-55 Dexter win.

RISCO – This time of year has proven to be a touch stressful for veteran Risco High School varsity boy’s basketball coach Brandon Blankenship.

DEXTER – The Dexter High School girls basketball squad has won five of its 11 games this season, which means it has lost six of those contests. That up-and-down performance was on full display Thursday in the Bearcats’ 72-45 loss to Farmington in the Bearcat Event Center.

ELLSINORE — Over the last several years, the annual battle of Carter County between the Van Buren Bulldogs and the East Carter Redbirds — also known as the Yellow Sucker game — has become one of Southeast Missouri’s premier rivalry basketball games...

JOPLIN, Mo. — The Poplar Bluff Mules boys basketball team rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to take a 50-48 win over the Webb City Cardinals in the first round of the Kaminsky Classic on Thursday afternoon. “It's great to get a win on the first day (of the Kaminsky Classic) against a very tough team,” Poplar Bluff coach Will Durden said. “The kids played through some adversity and found a way to pull it out.”...

Sophomore Alyce Edwards hits a milestone with her 1,000th career point, leading Kennett to a 54-38 win over Malden.

The Cape Central Tigers turned back the clock to the 20th century by playing a boys' basketball game at old Tiger Field House on Thursday, Jan. 9, in Cape Girardeau.  The Tiger Field House, now a part of Terry W. Kitchen Junior High School, was the former home of Cape Central HS before a new building was constructed in 2002...