JACKSON GIRLS RETAIN SOUTHEAST POLL TITLE

The Jackson girls and Portageville boys were the only two basketball teams to represent Southeast Missouri in Columbia at the MSHSAA Show-Me Games.

Fittingly, both the Bulldogs and Lady Indians were unanimously named as two of the top teams in the area by a panel of regional sportswriters and sportscasters in the final Southeast Missouri Basketball Poll of the season.

For the third year in a row, Jackson was named the top girls team in the region. Portageville took top honors in the boys small school poll, consisting of Class 1A-2A schools. New Madrid (17-10) took the No. 1 spot among large schools, comprised of 3A-4A schools.

Despite starting the season second in the girls poll behind Poplar Bluff, Jackson (26-3) was without a doubt the most dominating team in the area. Led by senior point guard Christa Millham, the Lady Indians made it to the 4A championship game for the third year in a row before falling to West Plains.

Poplar Bluff (24-3), which went 1-2 against Jackson this season, placed second in the poll followed by Cape Central (17-9).

Portageville (24-6) was picked to finish third in the preseason poll among several talented small schools, but the Bulldogs peaked during the state playoffs in advancing to Columbia for the 2A state championships. The Bulldogs lost both games in the Hearnes Center for fourth place.

Scott City (27-3), which lost to Portageville in the 2A Sectional at Cape Central without a healthy Jon Beck, took the No. 2 spot followed by Kelly (24-4) and Senath-Hornersville (24-4).

Delta, which reached the 1A Quarterfinals, was placed fifth with a 22-8 record.

New Madrid's 17-10 record doesn't appear worthy of the top spot among large schools, but the Eagles rebounded from an 0-6 start to have one of their best seasons under legendary coach Lennies McFerren.

New Madrid went undefeated in the SEMO Conference with a 6-0 mark and won consecutive games over state-ranked Doniphan and Charleston to claim the 3A, District 1 title.

Charleston, picked ahead of New Madrid in the preseason poll, ended second with a 22-6 mark. Jackson, the top 4A team in the area with a 21-6 record, finished third in the final poll.

* The Scott-Mississippi Conference announced its all-conference basketball team for the 1997-98 season. The complete list can be found on Scoreboard on page 2B.

* Missouri all-state selections for this past basketball season were also compiled this weekend in Columbia. Class 1A and 2A selections will be released April 1. The 3A and 4A teams will be announced the following day.

SEMO Basketball Rankings

The top-rated teams in the final Southeast Missouri basketball poll as conducted by a panel of regional sports writers and sportscasters (first-place votes are in parentheses):

Boys

Small Schools

Record Points

1. Portageville (14) 24-6 140

2. Scott City 27-3 123

3. Kelly 24-4 97

4. Senath 24-4 88

5. Delta 22-8 85

6. East Carter 20-5 82

7. Clarkton 21-4 39

8. Woodland 18-10 34

9. Bloomfield 16-12 23

10. Gideon 20-8 17

Also receiving votes: Marquand (19-10) 14, Ellington (18-8) 10, Clearwater (14-14) 9, Holcomb (15-12) 6, Scott Central (14-13) 3, Hayti (15-12) 2, Bernie (13-12) 1, Oran (13-12) 1, Twin Rivers (12-13) 1

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Large Schools

Record Points

1. New Madrid (11) 17-10 65

2. Charleston 22-6 52

3. Jackson (2) 21-6 42

4. Doniphan (1) 23-3 32

5. Kennett 15-12 16

Also receiving votes: Cape Central (11-15) 2

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Girls

Overall

Record Points

1. Jackson (10) 26-3 100

2. Poplar Bluff 24-3 89

3. Cape Central 17-9 72

4. Doniphan 20-6 66

5. East Carter 25-3 64

6. Notre Dame 21-8 34

7. Kelly 20-7 30

8. Scott City 20-6 27

9. New Madrid 15-11 24

10. Senath 18-6 23

Player of the Year: Maurice Harris, Clarkton