Area sports digest 8/20/02

State Farm claims title in Slamfest basketball

State Farm Insurance, headed by former Cape Girardeau Central High School and University of Missouri player Ron Jones, won the title in the 11th annual Slamfest outdoor basketball tournament held at Indian Park over the weekend.

State Farm defeated defending champion Charleston 50-38 in Sunday's finals that were played indoors at the Osage Community Centre because of rain.

Fred Jones of State Farm won the tournament's most valuable player award after hitting eight consecutive 3-pointers during the championship game.

Among other players with area ties on the State Farm team were Central graduates Mike Colon and Travis Cox, and Southeast Missouri State University products Luther Bonds and Mike Crain.

A team from New Madrid took third place.

"The Slamfest was another great success," tournament director Scott Porter said. "Special thank you to all the players and sponsors who made it possible."

Lent among winners at SEMO Motor Speedway

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Evan Lent of Calvert City, Ky., held off rookie Austin Matthews to win for the third time this season Saturday night in the micro sprint class at SEMO Motor Speedway.

Matthews was second and David Dejournett third.

Joseph Henderson of Memphis, Tenn., won the feature for the stock heavy kart class, leading Derek Hogue and Anthony Burk.

Among the other winners Saturday was Colby Burge of Cape Girardeau in the junior sportsman champ class feature race.

Ward repeats sprint triumph at ATPR

BENTON, Mo. -- Mike Ward of Memphis, Tenn., shot past leader Robbie Standridge on the 10th lap Saturday and led the rest of the way to win his second straight sprint class feature race at Auto Tire and Parts Racepark.

A caution flag on the 22nd lap helped Standridge close in for the restart, but Ward pulled away. Standridge was second and Jimmy Kite third.

Terry Baker of Scott City, Mo., picked up his first career win in the modified class after he pulled out of a three-way race for the lead on the final lap.

Baker led the distance, but had to fend off Chris Hall and Danny Sissom in what turned into a three-wide race through much the final half of the 20-lap event. Hall was second and Sissom third.

Doug Neuhalfen inherited the pure stock lead when early leaders Patrick Naeger and Jeff Beeson both went to the pits. Neuhalfen led the final seven laps with Jason Mueller taking second and Beeson rallying for third.

Naeger saw his chances of his first win of the season end when his car's right rear tire came loose and sent his car into a series of rolls through the turn.

Josh Southard and Shawn Koenig inherited the cruiser win after original winners Steve Bailey and Alan Bailey were disqualified after the event.

--From staff reports