Farmer's 1,000th point highlights Sikeston 103-81 win over Farmington

SIKESTON — Forget pyrotechnics.

Sikeston provided the fireworks, erupting for a season-high points total during a 103-81 win over Farmington on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

With the Field House rocking, the Bulldogs (13-0) weren't content simply outscoring the Knights (10-4); they posterized their opponents with a nonstop highlight reel that was punctuated by jaw-dropping self-alley-oop by PJ Farmer, who scored the 1,000th point of his high school career on the play.

Sikeston's Dontrez Williams (1) shoots during a 103-81 win over Farmington at the Field House on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“I’m sure the fans enjoyed it,” said Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield. “Both teams had high energy offensively and pushed the ball up and down the floor. [Farmer] played great tonight. He shot the ball well and did a great job offensively. He’s such a great passer and found guys cutting through the lane for layups. He’s a great player but he’s an even better kid. We’re all happy for him.”

The opening frame had been a nail-biter, with both teams trading baskets and Farmington hanging tough. But midway through the second quarter, Sikeston increased the lead to double digits for the first time after Farmer converted a 3-point play.

“I knew Farmington was a good team coming in,” Holifield said. “They shot and handled the basketball well. They will be a tough out in the district tournament.”

Sikeston's Tristan Wiggins (0) shoots during a 103-81 win over Farmington at the Field House on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

The Knights continued to fight, closing the lead to 50-42 at halftime.

But the second half belonged to Sikeston as Farmer silenced doubters with back-to-back bombs from downtown, stretching the lead to 60-46 early in the third quarter.

As the third-quarter buzzer sounded, Farmer capped it off with a buzzer-beating offensive rebound tip-in.

Sikeston's Chris Artis (2) dunks during a 103-81 win over Farmington at the Field House on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

The final frame was a victory lane for the Bulldogs, featuring a trifecta of alley-oop finished from Trace Sadler and electrifying dunks from Dontrez Williams and Chris Artis.

“Our guys did a good job of finding Sadler,” Holifield said. “And he did a great job of catching the ball and finishing. [Artis] is so quick and athletic but the big thing is how hard he works every day.”

But the curtain call hadn't fallen yet. With the clock winding down, Farmer utilized a dexterous one-handed bounce, propelling the ball skyward and soaring to meet it in mid-air before finishing with a thunderous slam that dramatically clinched his 1,000th career point.

“It always feels great reaching a new accomplishment,” Farmer said. “We did a great job of sharing the ball tonight and kicking it out for the open shot. We just have to keep working hard every single day and take no days off.”

Farmer finished with a team-high 28 points, while Williams added 22, Sadler contributed 16, Tristan Wiggins chipped in 15 and LeKereon McCray finished with 13.

Sikeston will host Portageville (8-4) on Thursday, Jan. 9.

__SIKESTON 103, FARMINGTON 81__

Farmington 19 23 12 27 — 81

Sikeston 28 22 22 31 — 103

Farmington (81) — Cannon Roth 34, Logan Schaupert 12, Cooper Tripp 10, Tatem Tinsley 10, Austin Knight 6, Samuel Woodson 5, Camrin Roberts 2, Corey Crawford 2. FG: 34. FT: 5-8. F: 8. (3-pointers: Roth 7, Tinsley 2, Tripp 2, Schaupert 1. Fouled out: None).

Sikeston (103) — PJ Farmer 28, Dontrez Williams 22, Trace Sadler 16, Tristan Wiggins15, Lekereon McCray 13, Chris Artis 6, Kobe Thomas 3. FG: 46. FT: 3-5. F: 15. (3-pointers: Farmer 3, Williams 2, Wiggins 1, Thomas 1, McCray 1. Fouled out: none).