2023 Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament: Cape Central wins back-to-back titles with victory over Jackson

The energy from the opening tip was palpable inside the Show Me Center as the Cape Central Tigers and Jackson Indians squared off for the 2023 Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament championship.

In the end, it was the Tigers earning a 75-48 win to make it four-straight convincing wins throughout the week to claim the title.

Cape Central’s win marked back-to-back championships for the Tigers and their 15th Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament championship.

“We just have to keep building,” Tigers coach Drew Church said. “This was another game where I thought we played unselfishly. Jackson’s a good team that plays physical, and they guard well. I think we did a good job, especially in the second half of limiting their shots and finally getting out in transition.”

Cape Central began the game on a quick 10-4 burst behind seven early points from Jaydon Reynolds.

“I just love to set the pace for the team,” Reynolds said. “When I’m able to go out there and do that, I love it because that brings the other guys along, and we play as a team.”

Jackson, however, proved they weren’t just going to lay down as the Indians’ offense got going to keep them within striking distance as the Tigers led 14-11 after the first quarter of play.

As Jackson was hanging around, Cape Central’s Tyseandre’ Edwards was doing his best to give the Tigers some breathing room in the second as back-to-back midrange jumpers pushed the Tigers lead to 22-16 just over three minutes into the quarter.

With Edwards beginning to percolate offensively, perhaps the biggest difference maker for the Tigers in the first half was the play of Max Vogel.

Vogel poured in 8 points, propelling the Tigers to a 30-23 lead entering the locker room at halftime.

“I feel like he doesn’t get enough love,” Reynolds said. “For everything he’s battled through with his knee injury, he’s a fighter man. That’s my right-hand man, and we definitely can’t do this without him.”

For much of the game, nearly every time the Indians would draw closer, sophomore Marquel Murray would slither into the lane and bank home a dazzling layup that drew audible gasps from the fans in attendance.

“We have to get him more aggressive,” Church said. “He’s so unselfish that he doesn’t wanna hurt anyone’s feelings, but we need him to attack. When he did that in the second half, it got us some buckets.”

Nearly every game this week saw the Tigers put their opponents away in the third quarter, and Saturday’s contest was no different.

Behind an eight-point quarter from Murray, Cape Central won the third 24-13 to take a commanding 54-36 lead into the final frame.

“We just get locked in by listening to our music,” Tyseandre’ Edwards said. “We just go out there and play, and we have everybody back, so it’s great.”

Cape Central was led by the trio of Edwards, Reynolds and Murray as they combined for 53 of the Tigers’ 75 points in the win.

“We can be super dangerous,” Reynolds said of how dangerous his team can be when all three are rolling. “It’s not just us three though, it’s everybody. It’s going to take everyone coming together as a team for us this year.”

Joining Edwards (20), Reynolds (19) and Murray (14) in double-digit scoring was Max Vogel and Tyson Williams who both scored 10 points in the win.

Jackson’s offense was led by Kole Deck, who had 19 points, and Judd Thoma, who had 11 points.

Jackson (8-6) resumes regular season play at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, when the Indians host Kennett at Jackson High School.

Cape Central (8-3) returns to action at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, when the Tigers hit the road to battle the Dexter Bearcats.

__NO. 1 CAPE CENTRAL 75, NO. 2 JACKSON 48__

Jackson 11 12 13 12 — 48

Cape Central 14 16 24 21 — 75

Cape Central (75) — Tyseandre’ Edwards 20, Jaydon Reynolds 19, Marquel Murray 14, Tyson Williams 10, Max Vogel 10, Matayo Rivers 2. (3-pointers: Reynolds 2, Edwards 1)

Jackson (48) — Kole Deck 19, Judd Thoma 11, Gavin Holdman 9, Kolton Thoma 3, Braedon Thoma 2, Jackson Shock 2, Braden Thompson 2. (3-pointers: J. Thoma 1, Deck 1)