Notre Dame advances to district championship game

Tyler Cuba and Cory Beussink each went 2-for-2 from the free-throw line in the final seven seconds to lift second-seeded Notre Dame past third-seeded Sikeston 59-56 in the semifinals of the Class 4, District 1 boys basketball tournament Thursday at Notre Dame Regional High School.

In a game neither team led by more than five points after halftime, Notre Dame (19-7) -- which was 16-of-19 from the free throw line -- trailed 56-55 when Lavar Morgan sank a 3-pointer with 11 seconds to play, giving Sikeston's its final lead.

Cuba sank two free throws with 6.9 seconds left, then a Sikeston basket was waved off in the final second when officials whistled a foul that sent Beussink to the line. He made both shots for the final margin.

Beussink went 12-13 from the free-throw line on his way to 18 points.

"He did a nice job of posting up tonight," Notre Dame coach Darrin Scott said.

Sikeston took control of its SEMO Conference rival in the first half after going up 20-8. Notre Dame went on a 16-2 run from there during a flurry of five Sikeston turnovers. The Bulldogs led 31-29 at halftime.

Notre Dame led 43-42 going into the fourth quarter.

Cuba finished with 12 points, and Travis Siebert had 11. Lontas McClinton led Sikeston with 21. Morgan had 17.

Notre Dame will play Dexter at 7:30 p.m. today after Dexter defeated No. 4 Ste. Genevieve in Thursday's other semifinal.

Dexter dominated Ste. Genevieve 85-50.

Chris Hyten and Derek Demarree scored 22 points apiece for the Bearcats. Dexter led 18-8 after the first quarter and 45-19 at halftime.

Oran 63, Kelly 58, OT

It took an extra period for Oran to put away Kelly on the road.

Oran outscored Kelly 12-5 in overtime after Kelly (11-14) surged in the fourth quarter to tie the score.

Oran's Nathan Seyer led all scorers with 26 points. Patrick Friga and Matt Seyer each had 10. Kelly received 19 from Chris Romas and 11 from Major Burger.

New Salem Baptist 55, Camdenton Christian 51

After receiving a first-round bye, New Salem Baptist used a fourth-quarter rally to advance to the Missouri Christian State Tournament finals at Joplin, Mo.

New Salem (19-10) trailed 41-34 after three quarters, but outscored Camdenton 21-10 in the fourth to win the game. Johnathan Davault led way 18 points and 11 rebounds. David Green added 17 points, and Andy Yount had 12.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

New Salem Baptist 36, Calvary Christian 11

New Salem Baptist made short work of Calvary Christian in their opening-round game at the Missouri Christian State Tournament in Joplin, Mo.

New Salem (20-7) held Calvary to four first-half points, including zero in the second quarter. New Salem built a 27-9 lead after three quarters. Sarah Green led New Salem with 20 points. Holly Jordan added 10 rebounds.

Delta 63, Scott County Central 33

Delta wrapped up its first outright Scott-Mississippi Conference Championship with a home win.

The Bobcats finished conference play 7-0 and finished the regular season 23-2. Delta led 28-19 at halftime and 44-27 after three quarters.

Rebecca Below led Delta with 26 points. Rebecca Cook and Sarah M. Cook each had 14 points. Jackie Monroe and Jennifer Hoots each had eight points for the Bravettes.

Kelly 57, Oran 38

Kelly celebrated senior night with a home win.

Dana Essner led the Hawks with 20 points and celebrated a couple of school records on the way. Essner set the all-time school records in steals and assists. Essner has recorded 100 steals and 100 assists in each of her four varsity seasons.

The Hawks took control of the game with a 20-6 scoring edge in the second quarter. Christy Kluesner added 16 points for the Hawks. Teresa Hodges led the Eagles with 16 points.

-- From staff reports