Central girls take Sikeston to school

Tigers breeze to 56-32 home victory over Bulldogs.

By Jeremy Joffray ~ Southeast Missourian

While public schools throughout Cape Girardeau will be closed today, school was in session Monday night as Central's girls basketball team went up 6-0 to start the game and never looked back in a 56-32 home win over Sikeston.

Despite losing the opening tip-off, Central scored back-to-back lay-ins off Bulldog turnovers and jumped out to a 12-4 lead midway through the first quarter. Central's pressure rattled Sikeston freshman point guard Paige Silverthorn, who committed several early turnovers.

Central coach Sheila Midgett said the Tigers, who improved to 12-10, simply are trying to sharpen their offensive and defensive sets going into district play.

"We focus on playing sound, fundamental defense and getting good shot selection," she said.

Central's leading scorer Alex Wieser grabbed countless offensive rebounds in the first quarter and scored eight straight points late in the period.

Although leading by 15 after one quarter, Wieser said Central's play wasn't as sharp as it should have been.

"Since we're coming down to districts we should play well every game," she said.

Trailing by 20 to start the third quarter, Sikeston finally began to settle down. The Bulldogs strung together a couple of baskets, and got the ball into the hot hand of Jennifer Medlin who hit three 3-pointers in the quarter.

Although Sikeston only outscored the Tigers by two in the quarter, Midgett said she was disappointed with Central's defensive play coming out of halftime.

"Just because you're ahead doesn't mean you let up defensively," she said.

The Tigers did not let their defensive lapse in the third quarter get them down. Wieser started the fourth with a 3-pointer and Laura Beard drained a jumper to put Central back in front by 21. Central stepped up defensively as well, holding Sikeston to two baskets in the fourth quarter.

"We kind of set some goals for the fourth quarter and that helped us defensively," Midgett said.

Wieser led all scorers for Central with 25 points. Megan McDonald added eight points for the Tigers and Vicki Wilson had nine. Medlin was the Bulldogs' lone double-figure scorer with 11.

Wieser said the Tigers are looking forward to the start of district play.

"We're confident," she said. "We expect to win. We're working hard and if we play well than we should do well."

With one game remaining before districts -- at home game against Perryville on Wednesday -- Midgett said the Tigers will use it to work on any last-minute adjustments.

"Everything we do is working to get us ready for next week," she said.