Charleston gets top seed for Christmas tournament

~ The Blue Jays will be seeking their record 16th title

The Charleston Bluejays have been anointed by the 16 tournament coaches as the favorite to win their record 16th title in the Southeast Missourian Christmas tournament.

Charleston, fresh off a victory over defending Class 4 state champion Sikeston in the championship game of the SEMO Conference tournament, was awarded the top seed in the 67th edition of the Christmas tournament Dec. 26 to Dec. 30 at the Show Me Center.

The Bluejays improved to 5-1 on Friday with a 75-71 win over Sikeston, ending the Bulldogs' 51-game home winning streak. Charleston returns three starters, including Division I-bound standout Greg Tucker, off last year's squad that finished 25-6 and third in Class 3.

Charleston's lone loss this season came to West Memphis in the season-opening Riverbend Classic.

Charleston, which last won the tournament in 2002, will christen this year's edition with a 9 a.m. game against Meadow Heights (0-4) on Dec. 26.

If teams live up to their seeds, Charleston will play No. 2 seed Notre Dame (2-2) in the tournament's championship game at 8 p.m. Dec. 30.

Notre Dame most recently claimed third place in the SEMO Conference tournament, stopping rival Central 52-44. Notre Dame will be looking for its first Christmas tournament title since 2005, and fifth overall, when it opens play against No. 15 Kelly (1-3).

Scott County Central (3-2), both the three-time defending Christmas tournament champion and Class 1 state champion, is the No. 3 seed. The Braves, who have won the tournament six times, will face No. 14 Woodland (1-4) in the opening round. Scott County Central already has defended its Oran tournament title this season.

Central (4-2), which started its season 4-0 but lost its final two games in the SEMO Conference tournament, is seeded No. 4 and possibly could face Charleston in the semifinals. Central, which lost to Charleston in the semifinals of the SEMO Conference tournament, opens Christmas tournament play against No. 13 Bell City (2-3). Central is second in Christmas tournament titles with eight.

Jackson (3-1), which reached last year's championship game, will play as the fifth seed and face No. 12 Oran (2-3) in the first round.

Other first-round pairings in the Christmas tournament will include No. 6 Leopold (4-1) vs. No. 11 Oak Ridge (2-3), No. 7 Advance (4-1) vs. No. 10 Delta (4-1), and No. 8 Scott City (3-2) vs. No. 9 Chaffee (3-0).

First-round games will be played Dec. 26, and quarterfinal games Dec. 27. An open date is scheduled for Dec. 28, and the tournament will resume with semifinals Dec. 29 and finals Dec. 30.