Sikeston-Scott County Central game packs Show Me Center with fans

Greg Brown of Jackson was one of the first people in line an hour before the Show Me Center's front doors opened for Wednesday night's sold-out game between Sikeston and Scott County Central.

Hundreds of people stood behind Brown, hoping to claim the best seats at the general admission event.

For Brown, 28, the scene brought back some memories of when he was about 10 years old and attended Southeast Missouri State basketball games with his father, a season-ticket holder.

"It's going to be wonderful seeing the Show Me Center filled up because I remember when SEMO was in their heyday in Division II," Brown said. "They used to sell this place out, especially against Murray State. I'm glad to see it sold out."

The final attendance Wednesday was 7,121. Sikeston won 86-85.

The last time the Show Me Center sold out an athletic event was in 2000, when the Southeast men's basketball team played Murray State, Show Me Center marketing director Shannon Buford said. That fact alone made the Scott County-Sikeston game one of the biggest and most highly anticipated local sporting events over the past decade.

Fans gave many reasons why the contest generated such interest, such as the talent of the players, a passion for high school basketball, the 38-year wait for the game and the recent lack of quality games at the Show Me Center with the Southeast men's team failing to put a competitive product on the floor. The men's team has not had a winning season since 2004-2005.

At 5 p.m., the arena's parking lot was filling fast. People eventually had to park in business lots across the street. The fans inside screamed as Sikeston's Neal Boyd, winner of "America's Got Talent," was introduced to sing the national anthem, and they continued to roar as the lineups were introduced and the game commenced.

Southeast Missouri residents like Brown want the days when the Show Me Center sold out for athletic events to return.

"I want the Show Me Center to fill up again," Brown said. "Especially against Murray States and next year starting the rivalry back up with SIU. Hopefully, against SIU we get this place filled back up again and show Southeast cares about their basketball."

Doyle Canady, a Scott County fan who was wearing a cap that was signed by the five starters on the Braves basketball team, arrived at the Show Me Center at about 2:30 p.m.

Canady was one of the first fans in line at the side entrance to the arena. He said he was at the two teams' last game against each other in 1971.

"High school basketball has always been big in Southeast Missouri since as long as I can remember," Canady said. "You've got two really good ballclubs, and they haven't played in 38 years, so you've got a lot of generations to look back."

Canady suggested that the Show Me Center might generate more excitement and larger crowds if the Redhawks recruited more local high school players. Although he could not give a specific date, Canady said it's been a long time since he has been to the Show Me Center to see the Redhawks play.

"When they get their act together, maybe I will come and watch," Canady said. "They need to recruit some players from Southeast Missouri. Who wants to go watch a bunch of guys who you don't know who they are? Not me."

Valerie Brown, a 19-year-old freshman at Southeast and a 2008 graduate of Sikeston High School, was first in line at another entrance at the front of the Show Me Center. She waited four hours through some rain for the doors to open.

"We had to get good seats, first of all," she said about her reason for arriving so early. "And second of all, this game — we've wanted to do it forever."

cmsith@semissourian.com

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