Notre Dame boys basketball team hoists top seed in balanced district

It's become more of a spectacle than anything else.

The Class 4 District 1 boys basketball tournament is notoriously one of the most competitive district tournaments in the state. The winner has advanced to the final four five times in the last nine seasons, including a pair of state champions in Notre Dame (2008) and Sikeston (2011).

And this year's group is no different, according to Notre Dame coach Paul Unterreiner.

"I don't know that we're quite as respected as some of those northern schools that seem to get some of the votes in the polls, but I'd put us, Sikeston and Cape up there with any team in the state of Missouri," Unterreiner said. "Sikeston's record is not great, but as everybody knows, they can beat any team on any given night. It's kind of just how they've been this year, kind of up and down. If you catch them on the right night, you're in trouble."

Notre Dame happens to be one of those unfortunate teams.

The Bulldogs suffered a 30-point loss Dec. 19 against host Sikeston but responded by rattling off a 12-game winning streak, including a 60-58 win over Jackson in the championship of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

"I just kind of like the way we've grown and matured," Unterreiner said. "We're able to handle those ups and downs in the game and have been able to bounce back."

A 22-4 record helped Notre Dame clinch the top seed in this week's district tournament, something the first-year coach said was hardly a point of emphasis throughout the season.

"We never mentioned it. I never talked to the guys about it, but obviously, in the back of all the coaches' minds in this district, that No. 1 seed is a pretty big deal," Unterreiner said. "... People would say it's a slightly easier route, and I'm sure glad to have it. I know my boys are, too. It's nice to get to see Sikeston and Cape Central will most likely have to battle the night before the district championship game. We like to think that's in our favor if we can hopefully get by Kennett or Perryville."

The tournament begins 7 p.m. today at the Sikeston Field House with a first-round matchup between fourth-seeded Perryville (16-7) and fifth-seeded Kennett (8-16). The winner will move on to a semifinal against Notre Dame at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Central's Andre Statam shoots over Sikeston's Corbyn Blissett last month at the Sikeston Field House. If seedings hold, the Tigers and Bulldogs will meet for the third time this season in a semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. (David Jenkins)

"People think there are only three teams that can win this district, but I think Kennett is a much improved basketball team. I think Dexter's much improved. And I haven't seen Perryville, but from what I hear, they're pretty competitive as well," Unterreiner said. "... It sets up for some well-prepared, battle-tested teams, and it should be a fun week."

No. 3 Sikeston (16-8) will face No. 6 Dexter (9-14) at 8:30 p.m. today in the second game of the opening round. The winner will take on second-seeded Central (20-6), the tournament's defending champion, in a semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

"I think it's a very competitive district tournament," Central coach Drew Church said. "If you don't come to play your best game, you're going to go home. It's at Sikeston. It's going to be a great atmosphere. It's going to be tough every possession, so I think it'll be exciting for the players and the fans."

If seedings hold, Central will face Sikeston for the third time this season at the Sikeston Field House. The Tigers won the previous two meetings, including a 61-50 victory Feb. 13 that sparked a three-game winning streak to conclude the their regular season.

"You want to be playing your best basketball right now, and nothing prior to the district tournament really matters -- your record, what you've done or who you've lost to. It's a new season," Church said. "I think we're playing well. Our seniors have played in the district championship the last four years, so I like our experience. I like them being in that situation before. Now we've just got to do it."

Central defeated visiting Dexter 75-47 in its regular-season finale, and Church believes the recent familiarity with both teams is valuable.

"They're both good teams. They're both well-coached. Both of them have good shooters and good inside guys," Church said. "It's going to be tough. We'll have to have a game plan for each one, and like I said, you're going to have to bring your best game.

"You want to keep them fresh. We don't practice for two and a half hours each day now. I gave them the weekend off, but they want to come in and shoot. They wanted to come in and shoot yesterday, so they are driven. You've got to keep them fresh, but you've also got to have their focus. ... You don't want to wear them out, but you've got to let them know that this is important and we've got to be able to focus."

Sikeston has won 10 of its last 11 games but could hold an edge by competing on its home floor.

"Our team has really worked hard this season," Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield said in an interview with the Sikeston Standard Democrat. "I think we're playing really well right now. Our goal all season has been to get to the district tournament and be playing our best basketball, and I feel we are doing that."

The championship is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Class 5 District 1

Poplar Bluff's Joseph Eyler hands Jackson's Braden Wendel his shoe after it fell off during the second quarter of January's game in Jackson, Missouri. Both teams enter the district tournament as top two seeds and will begin postseason play on Tuesday at Fox High School in Arnold, Missouri. (Glenn Landberg)

Two-time defending champion Jackson comes in as the No. 2 seed in this year's tournament.

The Indians dropped a 77-62 home loss in January against conference and division rival Poplar Bluff but bounced back in a big way.

Jackson has won nine of its last 10 games, its only loss a 74-72 decision against host New Madrid County Central. Indians coach Darrin Scott said several factors have contributed to his team's recent success.

"I think we've been defending and rebounding much better, but I think also, some of the guys who just haven't played as much varsity have really gotten the confidence and have played much better," Scott said.

Jackson (21-6) will square off against third-seeded Fox (6-15) in a semifinal at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Fox High School in Arnold, Missouri.

Top-seeded Poplar Bluff (18-5) and No. 4 Seckman (11-13) will meet in the second semifinal at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Seckman knocked off fifth-seeded Northwest (0-26) in a 64-35 decision Saturday.

"Fox has two guards that can score, Antonio Quick and Austin Laslo. They both score quite a bit for them," Scott said. "... If we can get past them, obviously playing Bluff will be a huge game. They beat us earlier in the year. They've had a great year this year, too."

If seedings hold, the Indians and Mules will rematch in the championship at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Scott said Poplar Bluff presents a tough challenge but believes his players are prepared.

"They have so many guards that can all shoot it and can put it on the floor," Scott said about the Mules. "They play hard and guard really well. They kind of cause matchup troubles because they put so many guys on the floor that can shoot it from the perimeter. I do think playing them once kind of gives us an idea of what we need to be able to do when we do play them again."