Central rallies for win over Doniphan

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sophomore center Scott Chestnutt scored a career-high 32 points to help Central overcome a 12-point deficit and defeat Doniphan 84-80 in a Sikeston Tournament consolation semifinal Thursday night.

Chestnutt scored 10 of his game-high total in the fourth quarter, including a conventional three-point play with under two minutes left to put the Tigers ahead 78-77, a lead they never relinquished.

Jay Ruark built the lead to 82-77 with a pair of baskets before Doniphan's Danny Kellas cut the deficit to 82-80 with 24 seconds remaining.

Chestnutt and Ryan Delph, who tied a season-high with 19 points, both added a free throw down the stretch as Central held off Doniphan (0-2) to improve to 3-2.

Central trailed 45-37 at halftime, and by 12 points in the third quarter, but rallied for a 61-59 lead by the start of the fourth. Doniphan moved ahead and led 73-67 with under four minutes left in the game.

"This is a big win for us," Central coach Derek McCord said. "The kids are staying positive. We were down and they kept their heads up."

Central, which posted its first Sikeston Tournament win in four year, shot 62 percent from the field for the game.

Jake Knepp added 12 points for the Tigers.

Kellas matched Chestnutt with 32 points. Shayne Talburt added 18 points for the Dons and Brett Reed finished with 13.

Central will play New Madrid County Central in the fifth-place game at 5:30 p.m. today.

In other tournament action, third-seeded Blytheville edged second-seeded Charleston 62-60 in overtime. Blytheville will face top-seeded Poplar Bluff in the championship game at 8:30 p.m. today.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

Central 59, Farmington 48

Alex Wieser scored 28 points as Central shook loose from a 30-30 halftime deadlock to win on the road.

Anna Brisso added 14 points for the Tigers.

Central outscored Farmington 13-4 in the third quarter to seize control.

"We came out defensively in the third quarter and really played well," Central coach Sheila Midgett said. "That was the turning point."

Natalie Bess tallied 13 points for Farmington and Randie Wooldridge and Jessica Arnold each netted 10.

Bismarck 44, Woodland 40

Woodland failed to hang on to a nine-point halftime lead as it fell at Bismarck.

Kandice Abner led Woodland (1-2) with 18 points. Lauren Taylor paced Bismarck with 21 points.

Bismarck overcame the deficit by outscoring the Cardinals 14-2 in the third quarter.

Perryville 59, NMCC 36

The Lady Pirates led 32-12 at halftime and remained undefeated with a victory at home.

April Lorenz led Perryville (4-0) with 21 points while Kate Lowry added 13.

Chaffee Tournament

Second-seeded Kelly slipped past third-seeded Scott City 50-43 to reach the championship game of the Chaffee Tournament.

Kelly (2-2) had three scorers in double figures, led by Dana Essner's 15. Christy Kluesner added 12 and Kelly Essner had 13. For Scott City, Loren Groves led the way with 21 points.

Kelly will face top-seeded Delta for the title at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

In the consolation bracket Oran withstood a strong second half performance by host Chaffee to win 52-47. Teresa Hodges led all scorers with 22 for Oran. Jennifer Vandeven led Chaffee with 13, and Samantha Hendrix added 12.

Fredericktown 48, St. Vincent 27

St. Vincent fell to 3-3 with a loss at Fredericktown.

St. Vincent's offense was slowed throughout, as Daniel Schremp and Ashley Richardet led the way with six apiece. The Squaws didn't help themselves, shooting only 6-of-18 from the free-throw line.

WRESTLING

Ste. Genevieve 59, Central 10

Central suffered its first loss of the season.

Brandon Seabaugh and Trever Duncan picked up the only two wins for Central (2-1).

BOYS' JV BASKETBALL

Meadow Hts. Tournament

Central won the championship game of the Meadow Heights JV Tournament 59-40 over Woodland.

Alex Espinoza led the Tigers (5-1) with 16 points. Lavelle Simpson added 14 for Central.

-- From staff reports