JACKSON GIRLS ROLL IN OPENER

FARMINGTON -- Jackson's High girls basketball team opened its 1996-97 season Tuesday night as the top ranked team in Missouri Class 4A and did nothing to cause dispute over that lofty positioning.

Behind 19 points from Christa Millham, Jackson cruised to a 64-32 victory over fourth-seeded North County in the Farmington Tournament.

The top-seeded Lady Indians, who finished as Class 4A runner-up last season, will face the Fredericktown-Farmington winner in Friday's 6:30 p.m. final.

"We had more of a veteran ballclub than them," said Jackson coach Ron Cook, who returns four starters. "We've got a seasoned ballclub. So far I'm happy with what I saw."

Cook saw Jackson jump out to an 18-4 lead in the first quarter and take a comfortable 28-14 lead at intermission. The advantage was pushed to over 20 points in the third quarter.

Millham also had nine rebounds, four assists and six steals.

Her all-state sister Michele added 12 points and five steals. Shannon Perry also deposited 12 points and Dana Eakins sank three of Jackson's eight 3-pointers to finish with 11 points.

Cape Central 79

Francis Howell 33

ST. LOUIS -- Central bounced back from Monday's first-round loss in the Oakville Tournament to romp in Tuesday night's consolation semifinal.

The Lady Tigers (1-1) got 16 points from Laura Lukens, 14 from Nichole Thiele, 12 from Elizabeth Kunz and 11 from Abby Harris.

"We played much better than Monday," said Central coach Paula Watkins. "We played really hard and a lot smarter."

Central will play for the consolation title at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Also Tuesday, Central's JV beat Francis Howell 46-31 to advance to Thursday's championship game.

Charleston 67

Dexter 36

DEXTER -- Talisha Haynes hit five 3-pointers and scored 25 points as Charleston improved to 2-1 Tuesday night.

Stacy Galemore and Siglindy Owens both added 12 points.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Portageville 85

Chaffee 35

CHAFFEE -- First-year Chaffee coach Jim Stoverink received a rude welcome with the Red Devils as they were hammered at home in their season opener Tuesday night.

No Chaffee player scored in double figures. Portageville had five double-figure scorers, led by J.R. Garmon with 17 points.

"It was a tough first game," said Stoverink. "Portageville was good. They played really tough man-to-man defense."

Arcadia Valley 56

St. Vincent 54

PERRYVILLE -- Arcadia Valley improved to 4-0 Tuesday and slipped up St. Vincent's season opener in the process.

St. Vincent led after the first quarter, but fell behind 30-26 at the break. It was still a 1-point game going into the fourth.

Jonathan Wengert's 23 points led St. Vincent, while Dustin Moll had 11. Bryan Foster's 15 paced Arcadia Valley.

Arcadia's JV won 53-39.

Woodland Tournament

MARBLE HILL -- Third-seeded Advance beat No. 6 Oak Ridge 72-61 in first-round play while Woodland clubbed Meadow Heights 86-30 in consolation action Tuesday night.

Advance opened its season by placing five players in double figures: Chance White (20), Matt DeJournett (14), Brock Cato (13), Matt Welch (12) and Shannon Bennett (11).

Oak Ridge was led by two players in its opener: Kirt Ruehling (22) and Aric Curry (21).

Woodland, now 1-1, was led by Shawn Massa (19), Jason Bandermann (17), Greg Lincoln (13) and Travis Whitener (11). Kevin Weaver (13) paced Meadow Heights.

Oran Tournament

ORAN -- Twin Rivers and Puxico guaranteed themselves at least another game this week by winning Tuesday.

No. 4 Twin Rivers (1-0) won a first-round game 58-56 over No. 5 Oran (0-1) to move into the semifinals. Chad Jansen had a game-high 26 points to pace Oran; Ben Barron had 16.

Puxico (1-1) knocked Leopold (1-3) out of the tournament with a 62-56 consolation semifinal score. Matt Beussink led Leopold with 20 points and Keith Horrell had 10.

BOYS SWIMMING

Lafayette 132, Cape Central 54

Powerful Lafayette spoiled Central's season opener at home Tuesday.

"The score doesn't reflect it, but we had a great meet," said Central coach Dayna Powell. "Almost every swimmer for us had a lifetime best."

The meet's highlight for Central was Matt Younghouse making a state cut time of 1:51.81 in the 200 freestyle as he finished second.

Also second for Central were Jason Owen (200 IM), Ben Roeger (100 backstroke), Nick Sterrett (diving), Jason Marietta (100 fly) and the medley relay team of Roeger, Marietta, Jason Owen and Ben Chisman.

Central competes in the Country Day Relays this weekend.

WRESTLING

Jackson 72, New Madrid 12

NEW MADRID -- Jackson stretched its impressive dual-match winning streak to 39 by routing host New Madrid County Central Tuesday night in the Indians' season opener.

"We wrestled real well for the first match," said Jackson coach Steve Wachter.

Jackson forfeited at 103 pounds and lost at heavyweight, but won the 12 matches in between. Eleven came by pins and one by forfeit. The fastest pin of the night was by Kent Langston (189), who needed only 15 seconds to prevail.

The Indians return to action Friday in the Fox Tournament.

Jackson 72, New Madrid 12

103 - Camden Bock (NM) forfeit

112 - Lance Schlick (J) forfeit

119 - Eric Rhodes (J) pin. Jason Townsend, 2:44

125 - Kyle Watson (J) pin. Jorel Fountain, 2:58

130 - David Schaaf (J) pin. Fred Hartman, 1:21

135 - Joe Wiseman (J) pin. Jason Warfield, 1:50

140 - Jason Goben (J) pin. Andy Barnett, :48

145 - Travis Turner (J) pin. Anthony Parker, 3:34

152 - James Hitt (J) pin. Chris Kolwyck, 1:34

160 - Kent Glass (J) pin. Adam Hayes, :50

171 - Kyle Glass (J) pin. Rhylin Price, 1:36

189 - Kent Langston (J) pin. Anthony Nelson, :15

215 - Travis Reiminger (J) pin. Leigh Spear, 1:37

HWT - Jesse Wilson (NM) pin. Aaron Ross, 1:31

Jackson JV 70, New Madrid 0

JV winners: Nick Hilt, Adam Wachter, Kyle Huck, Michael Schemel, Kyle Heck, Chris Freeman, Kevin Brunke, Kyle Ward, Chris Baranovich, Neil Collier, Lance McClard, J.P. Hall