Central tennis team tries to claim state berth at district tournament

Central's boys tennis team will try to qualify for the state tournament as a team for the first time since 2002 when the Tigers host the Class 2 District 1 tournament on Thursday.

The top two teams in the district tournament qualify for the state playoffs. Lindbergh and Webster Groves represented District 1 last year. Webster Groves and Central tied for the second spot last year, but Webster Groves won the tiebreaker.

Along with the top two teams, the top two singles players and top two doubles teams also qualify for the state tournament. The Tigers did not have anyone qualify for the state tournament last year.

Central has the second seed in both singles and doubles. Kevin Rohatgi is seeded second in singles, and the doubles team of Carson Kelley and David Deisher is also seeded second. Central will also have Robert Weir in singles and the doubles team of Josiah Johnson and Drew Kiel.

Tigers coach Bud Craven said Lindbergh will be the heavy favorite.

"I think we have a good opportunity of getting second," Craven said.

Other teams in District 1 include Poplar Bluff, Farmington, Lindbergh, Mehlville, Oakville, St. Mary's, Rockwood Summitt and Webster Groves. Competition will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday at Central and the Southeast Missouri State University tennis courts.

Dannenmueller signs with Rend Lake

Mark Dannenmueller, one of the area's most dynamic high school basketball scorers this past season, will continue his basketball career at Rend Lake College after signing last week.

Dannenmueller, a 6-foot-5 guard/forward, averaged a school-record 28 points per game his senior season along with 9.5 rebounds. Dannenmueller did much of his damage from the free-throw line, where he shot 86 percent.

Rend Lake already has one former Ram on board, with 6-9 center Tyler Ward on the current roster. Ward redshirted his freshman season.

Deason signs with Three Rivers

Kelly senior Kendal Deason recently signed with Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff to continue his basketball career.

Deason, a 5-10 guard, averaged 21 points, four rebounds and four assists for the Hawks this past season. Kendal, along with twin brother Kent Deason, helped lead Kelly to a 21-6 record. Kendal Deason also shot 89 percent from the free-throw line.

Three Rivers is also the home of Bell City graduate Dominitrix Johnson, who received all-region honors in his freshman season at Three Rivers.

College notes

* Notre Dame graduate Josh Eftink is putting up big numbers as Central Misssouri State's baseball team approaches another 50-win season. Eftink is tied for the team lead in home runs (13) and doubles (14). In 56 games, Eftink has 60 RBIs and 53 runs scored to go along with a .343 average. The Mules are 49-7 and ranked No. 4 in the NCAA Division II top 25 poll.

* Notre Dame graduate Lee Essner finished his freshman season with Maryville University with a team-high .368 batting average. Essner also led the team with 32 runs scored and finished with 19 RBIs. On the mound, Essner picked up three wins in seven appearances.