Notre Dame boys hold off Blackcats

Notre Dame's boys' basketball team shook off a determined effort by host Fredericktown to hold off the Blackcats 69-62 Wednesday night.

"We did some good things, but they shot it real well," Notre Dame coach Darrin Scott said. "I thought Fredericktown played pretty well overall, and it's always tough when you go on the road."

The Bulldogs, who improved to 9-5, were led offensively by Travis Siebert with 21 points. Tyler Cuba added 15 and Wayne Essner had 13.

Fredericktown (6-8) got a game-high 25 points from Joaby Sikes, who hit five 3-point baskets. Micah Reutzel nailed three 3-pointers and scored 11 points.

Notre Dame led just 33-32 at halftime and the squads were tied 48-48 entering the fourth quarter. Things remained tight for most of the final period before the Bulldogs pulled away in the final seconds.

The Bulldogs return to action Friday night, hosting rival Scott City.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL Scott-Miss Tournament

The favored teams all posted victories as the opening round of the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament concluded at Oran.

Top-seeded Delta crushed No. 8 East Prairie 86-24; No. 2 Kelly rolled past No. 7 Chaffee 64-31; and No. 3 Scott County Central defeated No. 6 Oran (no score was available). Monday night, No. 5 Charleston surprised No. 4 Scott City 44-32.

Delta (11-1) got 24 points from Sarah M. Cook, 20 from Rebecca Cook, 16 from Becky Rozmirsky and 11 from Katrina Flores. The Bobcats played without standout Rebecca Below, who has the flu.

Kelly (8-4) was led by Kelly Essner with 25 points. Cara Scherer had 16 and Dana Essner added 14. Chaffee's Jennifer Vandeven scored 17 points.

Tonight's semifinals feature Delta vs. Charleston at 7:30 and Kelly vs. Scott County Central at 9. The finals will be Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

BOYS' SWIMMING Lafayette 143, Central 43

St. Louis powerhouse Lafayette dropped Central to 2-8 in dual meets as the Tigers did not win an event.

Central captured four second-place finishes, including two by Sam Maguire, in the 200 freestyle and 100 freestyle.

Other events

Central's freshmen boys' basketball squad advanced to the finals of its four-team tournament by beating Notre Dame 54-43.

Jared Thomas scored 13 points and Xavier Delph added 10 for Central (5-6), which plays Jackson at 7:15 tonight in the championship game. Jackson beat New Madrid County Central in the other semifinal.

Central's eighth-grade boys' basketball squad also advanced to the finals of its four-team tournament by beating Poplar Bluff 41-38.

Robert Weir had 16 points and Matt Hester added 11 for Central (4-5), which plays Jackson at 7:15 tonight in the title game. Jackson beat Sikeston 52-23 in the other semifinal.-- From staff reports