Central boys basketball team bounces back from first-round loss in conference tourney

SIKESTON, Mo. -- After losing to Poplar Bluff in the opening round of the SEMO Conference Tournament, the second-seeded Central boys basketball team bounced back with a 41-29 win over No. 9 Dexter.

Central (4-1) held a slim 12-10 lead after one quarter, but extended the lead to 18-14 at the break.

Central coach Drew Church said his players' attitudes and efforts were much better than they were a day earlier.

"The main thing that we're concentrating on right now is how hard we play and our attitude," Church said. "I don't really care about the scores right now because I don't think that they're relevant [to] the team we're going to be in the future. Attitude and effort were better tonight than they were last night and it was a tough game."

Andre Statam led the Tigers with 15 points. Chase Hagerty had eight points and Peyton Montgomery added six.

Central will face Sikeston in a consolation semifinal at 7:30 p.m. today.

"We've played Sikeston a few times in the past, and we kind of know what they're going to do," Church said. "We'll try to practice after school, but the main thing is play hard and play smart and try to stay together."

Dexter 10 4 6 9 -- 29

Central 12 6 11 12 -- 41

Dexter (29) -- Jason Jarrell 7, Austin Chesser 7, Peyton Pollock 5, Jacob Pedigo 5, Noah Kronk 3, Cole Renken 2. FG 7, FT 14-19, F 10. (3-pointers: Pollock 1. Fouled out: none)

Central (41) -- Andre Statam 15, Chase Hagerty 8, Peyton Montgomery 6, Nikylus Thompson 5, Jalen Reddin 3, Al Young 2, Kway'chon Chisom 2. FG 18, FT 1-1, F 15. (3-pointers: Statam 3, Reddin 1. Fouled out: none)