FOUR AREA YOUTHS REACH NBA 2-BALL IN CHICAGO

A trip to the local NBA 2-Ball competition in Cape Girardeau for four area youths ultimately led to a performance in the "House that Michael Jordan Built."

After winning the local competition and the Missouri Area Championship in St. Louis, the local teams of Kaci Menz and Shea Smith of Delta, and Trent Essner and Jonathan Market of Jackson competed at the United Center in Chicago on Thursday.

Menz and Smith, fifth graders at Delta Grade School, still have hopes of reaching the NBA 2 Ball National Final after winning the NBA 2-Ball Championship in Chicago. While Essner and Market, eighth graders at Immaculate Conception in Jackson, performed well, they saw their hopes end on the United Center floor.

The 2-Ball competition consists of shots from eight possible "Hot Spots" on the floor -- ranging from layups (two points) to 3-pointers (eight points) -- in a 60-second time period. The players alternate shots and pass their make or miss to their teammate.

The competition funneled the players to Chicago. A total of 11 local competitions were held in Missouri and 75 in Illinois.

Both teams did their best shooting at the NBA 2-Ball Missouri Area Championship at the Webster Groves Recreation Complex, held March 25. The competition was one of seven regional championships with the top two scores overall in each age division advancing to Chicago.

Menz and Smith totaled 64 points at the Missouri Championship while Essner and Market tallied 84 points, the highest of the seven regions.

The four youths then advanced to Chicago, competing prior to the Bulls' game against the Washington Wizards last Thursday.

Menz and Smith didn't match their Missouri Championship score, but won the competition with 36 points. Their opponent scored just 12 points. They are now waiting word whether they will qualify for the national final, to be held in June at the NBA Finals.

"I don't think they thought they could get that far," said Shea's mother, Paula, who said the two have been playing basketball together since second grade. "The one can't play good unless the other one is there."

Kaci is the daughter of Marty and Jerri Menz. Shea is the daughter of Troy and Paula Smith.

Essner and Market, a pair of all-conference players in the Parochial League, scored 62 points in Chicago, falling short of their opponent's 70.

Essner is the son of Terry and Tammy Essner. Market is the son of Cheryl and Kevin Market.