2023 Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament: Cape Central routs Notre Dame to earn spot in championship

The Cape Central Tigers got off to a slow start but the tournament’s No. 1 seed pulled it together to down the No. 4 Notre Dame Bulldogs 58-23 on Thursday to advance to the championship of the 2023 Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

Following the opening tip it was the Bulldog setting the tone early as they were able to grab an early 5-2 lead while also controlling the tempo of the game.

“Notre Dame did a great job of really being deliberate with their offense,” Tigers coach Drew Church said. “They were being very patient, making 13, 14 and 15 passes and that’s hard to guard for that sustained amount of time.”

As the opening frame progressed the Tigers began to settle in as they were able to get out in transition and take a 14-9 lead after the first quarter.

“Anytime we can get some easy ones and especially ones where you have some great passes or dunks it just really gets us going,” Church said. “It also gives us a chance to not have to run around on defense all the time. Anytime we can get some easy transition buckets it’s good for us.”

Much like the first quarter, the Bulldogs once again slowed down the pace in the second quarter and quickly cut into the lead, but the Tigers responded, winning the quarter 13-6 to take a 12-point lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Tigers opened the second half on an 8-2 run to take a commanding lead that would eventually sit at 45-21 entering the fourth quarter.

“A lot of coaches say that those two minutes are two of the most important minutes in the game,” Church said. “You just have to set the tone. You have to decide if you’re going to let a team get back in it and punch you in the mouth or are you going to try and punch them in the mouth in those first two minutes.”

Cape Central was able to cruise through the fourth quarter to earn its championship berth.

Offensively, Cape Central’s attack was led by Jaydon Reynolds who scored a game-high 16 points in the win for the Tigers.

Also scoring in double digits was Tyseandre’ Edwards with 11 and Matayo Rivers with 10 points.

Notre Dame was led by Hudson Dennis who scored 10 points.

Notre Dame (3-5) advances to the third-place game where the Bulldogs will take on the loser of Charleston and Jackson at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

Cape Central (7-3) advances to the championship where the Tigers will battle the winner of Charleston and Jackson at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

“Either way it’s going to be a dogfight,” Church said. “Both are tough teams and well-coached with very talented players.”

__NO. 1 CAPE CENTRAL 58, NO. 4 NOTRE DAME 23__

Notre Dame 9 6 6 2 — 23

Cape Central 14 13 18 13 — 58

Cape Central (58) — Jaydon Reynolds 16, Tyseandre’ Edwards 11, Matayo Rivers 10, Max Vogel 8, Marquel Murray 6, Tyson Williams 4, Goliath Morris-Young 3. FG: 22. (3-pointers: Reynolds 3, Rivers 2, Vogel 2, Edwards 1)

Notre Dame (23) — Hudson Dennis 10, Brett Dohogne 6, Kolton Johnson 5, Hunter Bonham 2. FG: 10. (3-pointers: Johnson 1)