AREA TEAMS AT OR NEAR TOP OF STATE BOYS POLLS

If things play out just right, Southeast Missouri could boast three of the four top-ranked teams in the state in the near future.

Scott City and Dexter are already No. 1 in Class 2A and 3A, respectfully.

In 1A, Advance lurks in the No. 2 spot behind only New Franklin. Advance's only losses were to -- who else -- Scott City and Dexter. And Scott City's only loss to this point was to Advance.

Dexter remains the only undefeated team in any of the top 10 teams in the four classes which suggests it is the only undefeated team in the state.

Advance will try to avenge its loss to the Bearcats when it travels to Dexter on Friday night.

Portageville which made it to the state final four last year and returned the majority of its key players has been in the top 10 in Class 2A, but has slipped down the stretch. The Bulldogs have lost four games, but their loss to Caruthersville, according to Portageville coach Jim Bidewell, will be overturned because Caruthersville used an ineligible player.

Ramming through the competition

Though Dexter is having perhaps the best year of any team in the region, Scott City has had by far the best four-year run of any program.

The Rams have won 34 of their last 36 games, and since the 1995-96 season Scott City has boasted a record of 122-16 for a .884 winning percentage.

But they have yet to make it to the state final four.

"I'm a firm believer that it takes hard work to get there," said Scott City coach Derek McCord. "But I also think it takes a little bit of luck."

The last two years, Scott City has lost its last game of the season without its best player -- Jon Beck, who is now playing at Arkansas State University. Both were injuries suffered in practice.

McCord figures its time for the bad-luck streak to end and is crossing his fingers that neither Ryan Weatherspoon (18.7 points per game) nor Ronald Watson (19.4 ppg) suffer the same fate.

ND girls jacked up about latest win

Notre Dame's girls basketball team improved to 14-3 this past week with a 52-47 win over Jackson.

It was the second win of the season for Notre Dame -- ranked fifth in Class 2A -- over Jackson and so far Notre Dame is rolling through its tough schedule.

The Lady Bulldogs' only losses have come to state-ranked 4A squads Poplar Bluff (twice) and Cape Central.

But the two wins over Jackson were especially meaningful.

"Jackson is the icon around here in basketball," said Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim. "If we can compete with them, we can beat anybody."

"We're pretty confident right now," said Notre Dame's leading scorer Lisa Millham, who is from Jackson. "We just try to get better every day so we can play with the bigger teams."

Only the best will do

Speaking of tough schedules, Jackson's schedule is as brutal as they come.

The Lady Indians play at least seven state-ranked schools. The following teams are on their schedule at least once: Notre Dame, Cape Central (eighth in 4A), Rosary (third in 3A), Poplar Bluff (sixth in 4A), St. Joseph Academy (seventh in 4A), Doniphan (eighth in 3A) and Parkway West (third in 4A).

Sure, Jackson may be 8-8 and not quite the team it has been the past several years, but the Lady Indians have beaten some of those state-ranked teams and have played well against others. Make no mistake, when the young Jackson team brings its "A" game, it can compete with anybody.

On tap this week

There are several marquee matchups this upcoming week, especially in girls basketball.

On Monday, state-ranked Doniphan will visit Cape Central. On Thursday, the Lady Tigers will play at Notre Dame and Jackson will take on Doniphan. On Saturday, Jackson will play host to Parkway West.

On the boys side, Jackson will play Charleston on Tuesday, but the biggest matchups will come Friday night. Woodland will play at Notre Dame Friday night and the winner of the game will most likely get the second seed in the Class 2A, district 2. As mentioned before, Advance will play at Dexter in a battle of highly ranked teams; Charleston will play at Doniphan and Farmington will play at Jackson.

Saturday will be a big day for Cape Central and Jackson wrestlers in the eight-team Class 4A, District 1 tournament, to be held at Lindbergh High School in St. Louis.

Leading scorers in the Southeast Missourian coverage area

Boys

Games Points Avg.

1. Jreece Johnson, Scott Co. Central 17 513 30.2

2. Garrett Broshuis, Advance, 16 368 23.0

3. Ronald Watson, Scott City 17 330 19.4

4. Jamie Essner, Kelly 15 287 19.1

5. Ryan Weatherspoon, Scott City 17 318 18.7

6. Travis Friga, Oran 7 124 17.7

7. Tory Meyr, Jackson 17 287 16.9

8. Jason Greer, Woodland 14 222 15.9

9. Ryan Wichern, Perryville 15 227 15.1

10. Ross Conner, Cape Central 17 249 14.6

Highest Game: Johnson, 49 vs. Kelly

Girls

1. Vontrice Blackmon, Scott Central 13 285 21.9

2. Jennifer Vandeven, Chaffee 15 264 17.6

3. Marissa Essner, Kelly 14 234 16.7

4. Andrea Koeper, Jackson 15 250 16.7

5. Rebecca Below, Delta 14 231 16.5

6. Jessica Lakenan, St. Vincent 15 239 15.9

7. Lisa Millham, Notre Dame 16 244 15.3

8. Jamie Amberger, Perryville 17 232 13.6

9. Sara Heisserer, Oran 12 161 13.4

10. Brandy Miller, Scott Co. Central 13 172 13.2

Highest Game: Essner 38 vs. Scott Central

ATTENTION COACHES: If you have a player who deserves to be on this list, please contact the Southeast Missourian at 1-800-879-1210, ext. 127.