Dexter running back presented Carr Trophy

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Dexter running back Matt Burnett was presented with the Carr Trophy Wednesday night at the 57th annual Poplar Bluff Letter Club Gridiron Banquet honoring SEMO Conference football.

"That was a real big surprise," Burnett, a senior running back, said of the award. "I didn't think I was going to get it. There's just so many other good players that I just didn't figure I'd be one of them."

The Carr Trophy, selected by a seven-person committee of area high school football officials, is presented to the top player in Southeast Missouri at the annual event that also honors the all-conference football team.

Central's Adrian Wren, Dexter's Andrew Webster and Hayti's Jordan McCrary were presented with Outstanding Lineman Awards. Coaches Lawrence Brookins of Central, Aaron Pixley of Dexter and Jim McKay of Portageville were given Coach of the Year Awards in their divisions.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

Chaffee Invitational

Delta earned a spot in the semifinals by winning a close game over Sikeston on Wednesday at Chaffee, Mo.

Delta, the top seed, held off a Sikeston surge in the fourth quarter to win 40-38. Sikeston was down seven after the third quarter and outscored Delta in the fourth 11-6, but Rebecca Cook hit six free throws to seal Delta's win. Cook finished with 12 points.

In a consolation semifinal, Janet Penrod scored 41 points -- including five 3-pointers -- to help Scott County Central defeat East Prairie 81-11. Central utilized the full court press almost the entire night and held East Prairie to four points in the first half.

Scott City defeated Chaffee 51-42 in a first-round game after pulling away in the second half. Chaffee led by one point at halftime but was outscored by 10 after halftime. Jenny Pinkston led Scott City with 18 points. Jennifer Vandeven for Chaffee led all scorers with 22.

JV boys' basketball

MEADOW HEIGHTS TOURN.

Central and Woodland advanced to today's 7:30 p.m. championship game at Patton, Mo. Top-seeded Central defeated No. 4 St. Vincent 57-49. Anthony Meades led Central (4-1) with 19 points and Alex Ray added 15.

No. 2 Woodland defeated no. 3 Meadow Heights 45-40 in the other semifinal.

Saxony Luthern and Leopold advanced to today's consolation game. No. 8 Saxony defeated No. 5 Fredericktown 40-28; No. 7 Leopold defeated No. 6 Ste. Genevieve 44-36.

-- From staff reports