Area Class 4, 5 squads ready for district tournaments

Maybe the private school enrollment multiplier isn't such a bad thing after all.

No, the Notre Dame girls, now residing in Class 4, will not get the opportunity to defend their Class 2 basketball state title, but there are a few silver linings in the clouds for the Bulldogs.

First and foremost, Notre Dame will host both the boys and girls district tournaments for the first time in school history. In the past, Notre Dame's teams made annual pilgrimages to Bloomfield, Mo., which served as the hub of a 10-school district, four schools larger than their new district.

"We've always had to go away no matter where we were at," said Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim, playing the district on his home floor for the first time in 21 years. "It's going to be really nice playing at home."

Perennially the top seed in their Class 2 district, the Bulldogs have successfully transferred that distinction to Class 4, District 1. On a 12-game winning streak, Notre Dame enters district time with a 17-7 record. It will shoot for a seventh straight district crown after succeeding on its final six attempts in Class 2.

Notre Dame teams also will have to win only two games in the six-team field as opposed to three in the past. While the Notre Dame boys, seeded second, won't have an easy path with possible games against Sikeston and Dexter, they had a major obstacle -- Charleston -- removed from their path due to the multiplier. Charleston, now in Class 3, administered the Bulldogs' worst loss of the season in the championship game of the seMissourian Christmas Tournament.

"There are pros and cons to everything," Notre Dame coach Darrin Scott said. "Sikeston is a great team. No matter who you play, you have to play well to win, whether it be Charleston or Sikeston."

Notre Dame has byesBoth Notre Dame teams were given first-round byes and free tickets into the semifinals.

While district play opens tonight with two girls games, and Tuesday for the boys, Notre Dame's girls and boys will be idle until Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Championship games will be held Friday.

But once Notre Dame takes its floor, its fate is in its own hands.

The outlook is promising for Notre Dame's girls, 5-0 against district teams. The wins, against the top five seeds, have been by wide margins. Second-seeded Dexter (19-5), a two-time victim, has lost to the Bulldogs 63-36 and 81-37. Third-seeded Perryville (14-8), fourth-seeded Sikeston (9-15) and fifth-seeded Fredericktown (9-14) all fell by similar scores.

"When it comes to this time of the year, anything is possible, and a team we beat can step up for a game and knock us off," Grim said. "We try not to take anybody for granted."

Grim called the recent 81-37 rout of Dexter, which was missing its point guard, a fluke.

"Everything we did that night worked right, and everything they did didn't turn out that well," Grim said. "I don't know that the next time we face them it will be that easy."

Notre Dame, ranked 10th in Class 4, overcame a 1-5 start to break into the state rankings in the last poll.

The boys' side looks more wide open. Dexter (20-4) is seeded first, followed by Notre Dame (18-7), Sikeston (11-12), Ste. Genevieve (19-5), Fredericktown (10-13) and Perryville (5-19).

"I know any of the top three seeds can win it," Scott said. "And whoever wins has a good chance to win the next two games and go to Columbia."

Notre Dame played both Dexter and Sikeston early in the season. Dexter edged Notre Dame by three points, while the Bulldogs beat Sikeston.

All three teams have played strong the second half of the season.

"If we rebound well and take care of the basketball, everything else takes care of itself," Scott said. "If we do those two things, we win games. If we don't, we struggle."

Class 5, District 1Both the Central boys and girls will shoot for upsets in the Class 5, District 1 tournament, which opens today. Central is the host.

The second-seeded Tigers of Derek McCord will attempt to extend their turnaround season against third-seeded Farmington at 7:30 p.m.

Central (16-9), 2-0 against Farmington (10-14) this season, must defeat the Knights a third time to get a shot at avenging a 71-59 loss to top-seeded Poplar Bluff (22-3), which opens against fourth-seeded Jackson (11-15) at 6 p.m.

"We're going to really focus on Farmington because they have the ability to control the tempo of a game," McCord said. "We're definitely not going to look past them, but at the same time, if we can get past them, we might be able to sneak up on Poplar Bluff, who might be looking past us."

Poplar Bluff, ranked second in Class 5, is gearing up for a possible deep drive in the playoffs. The Mules launch the journey against Jackson, a team they defeated by 15 and 14 points this season.

"Facing Poplar Bluff in the first round is not an ideal situation, but we'll give it a go and see what we can do," Jackson coach Mike Kiehne said. "The biggest thing is my kids haven't backed down from a challenge yet.

"Things have to go right for us to win, but on any given night you never know what will happen, and that's how we're approaching it."

While Jackson (16-8) has the top seed on the girls' side, the Indians are not necessarily the favorite. Jackson defeated Poplar Bluff 52-42 during the season but are ranked behind the Mules (20-4) in the Southeast Missouri Top 10 poll.

Jackson split its two games with Central (14-10) and owns two wins over Farmington (16-8), which it will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the opening round.

"I see it as a toss-up for anybody," Jackson coach Ron Cook said. "Anybody can get a couple of good games in and win it."

Central, which is 0-2 against Poplar Bluff, will face the Mules at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Tigers are finally healthy after an injury-plagued season.

"Tthe district will definitely be tight," Central coach Sheila Midgett said. "I think it's up for grabs."

jbreer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 124

THIS WEEK'S DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS

BOYS

CLASS 4, DISTRICT 1

at Notre Dame Regional High SchoolTuesday's first round

(4) Ste. Genevieve (19-5) vs. (5) Fredericktown (10-13), 6 p.m.

(3) Sikeston (12-12) vs. (6) Perryville (5-19), 7:45 p.m.Thursday's semifinals

(1) Dexter (20-4) vs. Ste. Genevieve-Fredericktown winner, 6 p.m.

(2) Notre Dame (18-7) vs. Sikeston-Perryville winner, 7:45 p.m.Friday's championship

Semifinal winners, 7:45 p.m.

Players to watch: G Chris Hyten (5-8, sr., 17 ppg, 6 apg, 3 spg), C Derek Demaree (6-5, jr., 16 ppg., 7 rpg), Dexter; G Travis Siebert (6-1, sr., 13.5 ppg), C Cory Beussink (6-4, sr., 11 ppg, 10 rpg), G Wayne Essner (6-0, sr., 13 ppg), Notre Dame; F Lontas McClinton (6-3, sr., 20 ppg, 10 rpg), G Lavar Morgan (6-2, sr., 15 ppg, 7 rpg, 5 apg), Sikeston; C Matt Bader (6-4, sr., 17.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.5 apg), F Seth Fallert (6-3, sr., 14.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg), Ste. Genevieve; C D.J. Hinkle (6-2, so., 15 ppg, 7 rpg), Fredericktown.

Notes: District looks wide open: third-seeded Sikeston defeated Dexter 68-67 early in season; Dexter beat Notre Dame 57-54 for its first win of the season; Notre Dame defeated Sikeston 56-44 in December; Dexter had 16-game winning streak snapped by Caruthersville on Feb. 15; Dexter won Stoddard County Conference, the conference tournament and Bloomfield Christmas Tournament; Notre Dame reached championship game of seMissourian Christmas Tournament and Farmington Invitational; Dexter has four players who average in double-figure scoring; Dexter, which won 20 games for the fifth straight year, won its last district title in 1976; Notre Dame's last district title in 2001 in Class 2; Sikeston's last district title came in 2000; Sikeston is 7-2 in its last nine games; Ste. Genevieve, looking for its first district title, won its second ever MAAA Conference title; Perryville's last district title came in 1997.

CLASS 5, DISTRICT 1at Central High School

Monday's semifinals

(1) Poplar Bluff (22-3) vs. (4) Jackson (11-15), 6 p.m.

(2) Central (16-9) vs. (3) Farmington (10-14) , 7:30 p.m.Thursday's championship

Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.

Players to watch: G Tony Webb (6-2, sr., 13 ppg), C Tyler Hansbrough (6-8, so., 19.1 ppg), Poplar Bluff; C Scott Chestnutt (6-8, so., 15.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg), G Ryan Delph (5-11, jr., 14.3 ppg), Central; C Tyler McNeely (6-3, jr., 14.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg), G Tyler Boyd (6-0, sr., 12.2 ppg), Jackson; Andy Mell (17 ppg, 5.1 rpg), Farmington.

Notes: Class 5 is new this year after Missouri expanded from four classes; district contains same four teams as old Class 4, District 1; Poplar Bluff won the title last year; Farmington won the district in 2001; Poplar Bluff is ranked No. 2 in Class 5 but has lost two of its last three games; Mules had 12-game winning streak broken by Vashon on Feb. 15; Mules outscoring opponents by 19 points a game; Webb closing in on Poplar Bluff's career scoring record; Poplar Bluff is 2-0 against Jackson, 1-0 against Central; Central is 2-0 against Farmington, 2-1 against Jackson; Central has 12 more wins than in last year's 4-21 season, the first under Derek McCord; Tigers' 16 wins is most since 1997 (21-7); Central won its last district in 1997; Jackson's last title came in 1998; Jackson lost five of its last six games.GIRLS

CLASS 4, DISTRICT 1

at Notre Dame Regional High SchoolMonday's first round

(4) Sikeston (9-15) vs. (5) Fredericktown (9-14), 6 p.m.

(3) Perryville (14-8) vs. (6) Ste. Genevieve (5-16), 7:45 p.m.

Wednesday's semifinals

(1) Notre Dame (17-7) vs. Sikeston-Fredericktown winner, 6 p.m.

(2) Dexter (19-5) vs. Perryville-Ste. Genevieve winner, 7:45 p.m.Friday's championship

Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.

Players to watch: G/F Ashley Millham (5-11, sr., 21 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.7 apg), F Sommer McCauley (5-8, jr. 10.3 ppg), Notre Dame; F Katie Dunlap (5-11, sr., 13 ppg), F Rachel Blunt (6-0, so., 12 ppg), Dexter; C April Lorenz (6-0, jr., 24 ppg., 10 rpg), Perryville; Jessica Johnson (5-9, sr., 18 ppg), Fredericktown

Notes: Notre Dame is on 12-game winning streak and ranked 10th in Class 4 after starting season 1-5; Notre Dame won its first state championship last season in Class 2; Notre Dame had won six straight district titles before jump to Class 4; Millham became school's all-time scoring leader in Thursday's win over Kelly; Millham, with 1,468 career points, may top 1,500-point plateau in district; Notre Dame is 5-0 against district teams with the closest game a 36-point victory; Bulldogs have two wins over No. 2 Dexter; Dexter has never won a district championship; Dexter point guard Hannah Burleson (10 ppg) recovering from ankle injury; Perryville's second-leading scorer and top defender, Emily Amberger, will be out until at least the semifinals with an ankle sprain.

CLASS 5, DISTRICT 1at Central High School

Tuesday's semifinals

(1) Jackson (16-8) vs. (4) Farmington (16-8), 6 p.m.

(2) Poplar Bluff (20-4) vs. (3) Central (14-10), 7:30 p.m.Thursday's championship

Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.

Players to watch: F Jenna Leet (6-0, sr., 18 ppg, 6 rpg, 3.5 spg, 2 apg), F Whitney Werner (5-10, sr., 9 ppg, 5 rpg), Jackson; C Omega Key (5-11, jr., 10.5 ppg), F Frances Kalich (6-0, jr., 10.1 ppg), Poplar Bluff; F Alex Wieser (6-0, sr., 21.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg), G Megan McDonald (5-8, jr., 9.8 ppg, 5 apg), Central; F Natalie Bess (5-9, jr., 16.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Farmington

Notes: Same four teams comprised Class 4, District 1 last year, won by Poplar Bluff; Jackson won title in 2001, later reaching the final four; Poplar Bluff has just one senior on roster; Poplar Bluff won 20 games for 10th straight season; Central's last district title came in 1989 when it made its only appearance in final four; Farmington has never won district title; Jackson has defeated all three district teams during season, but also lost once to Central; Jackson is 2-0 against Farmington, its first-round opponent; Poplar Bluff is 2-0 against Central, the other first-round pairing; Jackson defeated Poplar Bluff 54-42 in their only meeting in early January.

-- Jeff Breer