ND excels with its 'A' game

~ Alex Ressel has been a steady force for the 21-3 Bulldogs.

Notre Dame post player Alex Ressel does not crave the limelight.

Ressel is quiet on the court, and he is reserved and humble off it. The 6-foot-3 senior's ability comes through loud and clear come game time, though.

"I always just try to do my best," Ressel said. "I don't like talking trash on the court. I just like to get things done. I think you get a lot more respect if you don't trash talk -- from both your teammates and your opponents. I think that helps me a lot on the court."

It seems to have worked in a 21-3 regular season for the Bulldogs. But in order to finish his career on a high note, Ressel and the rest of the Bulldogs will have to play above their No. 2 seed in the Class 4 District 1 tournament at Sikeston.

Notre Dame will play 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the semifinals against the winner of tonight's game between Ste. Genevieve and Perryville.

Sikeston is the top seed and will also receive a bye into the semifinals. The championship game is 7:30 p.m. Friday.

"It really hasn't hit me yet," Ressel said of playing his final games at Notre Dame. "I know it's my last chance. I want to make the most of it. Going to state last year really motivates me."

Ressel was the top scorer on last year's squad, which made an improbable run to the state final four before finishing fourth. This season, Ressel again leads the team in scoring at nearly 16 points a game.

Notre Dame coach Paul Hale said Ressel's production is one thing he knows he can count on.

"That's what you appreciate," Hale said. "Every night, you can count on him for 15 or 16 points and 10 rebounds."

Much of Ressel's work comes in the post against players taller and heavier than he is. Undersized is not a label Ressel pays too much attention to.

"It never really crosses my mind anymore," Ressel said. "I'm used to it. I've learned to work around it. I know my teammates trust me. If I don't have something inside, I can work it outside. We always have some options."

Ressel is able to negate any size differences inside with his array of low-post moves. While he spends plenty of time in practice honing those moves, even Ressel doesn't know what move he'll throw out next during games.

"When you are down low with someone, you have to take what they give you," Ressel said. "I never know what I'm going to do."

In order for Ressel and his teammates to make consecutive trips to Columbia, Mo., they will likely have to get by host Sikeston. Sikeston has won nine straight, and defeated Notre Dame by 22 points in a December meeting at Notre Dame.

"We've got to focus on the Ste. Genevieve/Perryville [winner] first," Ressel said. "If we get to Sikeston, we need to shoot better, and we need to press better. We didn't shoot well against them the first time. I think if we play good defense and shoot well, we'll be all right."

Added Hale: "I don't think we can shoot any worse [than the first meeting]. Hopefully we're better, but I think Sikeston's better, too. I really think the winner of our district will be represented at the final four."

One player who has emerged for Notre Dame over the final few weeks of the season is Ressel's front-court partner, 6-5 sophomore Ryan Willen. Willen is averaging nearly 13 points a game.

"He's leading us in rebounds, second in scoring," Hale said. "For the last two weeks, he's been our leading scorer. He's Mr. Consistent also. He probably plays the most minutes on this team. He has really come on.

"He is going to be a special player. He's playing better than even I thought he'd be."

Even with the scoring ability of Ressel and Willen, the main weapon for Notre Dame is still its defense, and more specifically its press. Senior guards Frankie Ellis and Xavier Delph are able to create turnovers with their quickness, and overall the press helps Notre Dame wear down its opponents.

"I like the way we play," Hale said. "I like this team. That's the way I like to play. Defense is our main weapon, and it has to be."

While still an underdog this season, the expectations surrounding Notre Dame are different than last year. Last year, Notre Dame was 9-16 heading into the district tournament. With Bryce Willen returning from an injury, the Bulldogs made it all the way to the final four. Notre Dame already has seven more wins heading into the district tournament than they had all last year.

"I always knew we had a good team last year," Ressel said. "I feel the same way this year. If we play as good as we're capable of, no doubt in my mind we can make it to state."

Added Hale: "Hopefully this team can play better than they have all year. That's what you have to do this time of year."

Upset-minded

Perryville and Notre Dame are seeded third and fourth, respectively, in the Class 4 District 1 girls tournament at Sikeston.

The Pirates (16-7) face Ste. Genevieve at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, follwing the 6 p.m. contest between Notre Dame (13-11) and Sikeston.

Both the Pirates and Bulldogs have played better in the later half of the season, as Notre Dame defeated second-seeded Dexter at home late in the season.

Fredericktown has the top seed, but has not won a district title since 2002. Perryville upset Fredericktown in the semifinals last year before losing to Dexter in the district championship.

Notre Dame had won eight straight district titles before last season and had made it to the state championship game in 2001 and 2003.

Class 4 District 1

Boys

Teams: No. 1 Sikeston (18-6), No. 2 Notre Dame (21-3), No. 3 Ste. Genevieve (14-11), No. 4 Fredericktown (16-10), No. 5 Dexter (10-15), No. 6 Perryville (10-13)

* Schedule: Monday, Fredericktown vs. Dexter, 6 p.m.; Ste. Genevieve vs. Perryville, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Sikeston vs. Fredericktown/Dexter winner, 6 p.m.; Notre Dame vs. Ste. Genevieve/Perryville winner, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, final, 7:30 p.m.

* Notes: Sikeston has won nine straight games heading into the district tournament, including a conference win over Poplar Bluff. Notre Dame won seven of its last eight games, and has not lost on the road all season.

Girls

Teams: No. 1 Fredericktown (21-4), No. 2 Dexter (18-5), No. 3 Perryville (16-7), No. 4 Notre Dame (13-11), No. 5 Sikeston (18-6), No. 6 Ste. Genevieve (17-7)

* Schedule: Tuesday, Notre Dame vs. Sikeston, 6 p.m.; Perryville vs. Ste. Genevieve, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Fredericktown vs. Notre Dame/Siketon winner, 6 p.m.; Dexter vs. Perryville/Ste. Genevieve winner, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, final, 6 p.m.

* Notes: Notre Dame has won seven of its last nine games, with losses coming to Class 5 schools Jackson and Nerinx Hall. Perryville won 12 of its final 14 games.