Notre Dame swimmers edge Central for league title

It came down to the final event, but Notre Dame ended up pulling out the inaugural SEMO Conference boys' swimming meet Monday at the Central Pool.

"Needless to say it was an exciting meet," Notre Dame coach Lenny Kuper said.

Notre Dame won nine events, but none more important than the 400 freestyle relay. Jameson Kuper, Jordan Kuper, Mark Lester and John Fisher's time of 3:32.19 clinched the win for the Bulldogs. Notre Dame finished with 414 points, Central had 403 and Poplar Bluff had 227.

Jameson Kuper was voted the most valuable swimmer of the meet. He won the 200 free (1:52.77), 100 free (50.16) and was a member of the 200 medley relay winners (1:51.63).

Jordan Kuper won the 200 IM (2:10.37), 500 free (5:32.66) and the 200 medley relay. John Stoverink's 11-dive score of 358 gave him the diving championship. Stoverink also won the 100 breast (1:09.15).

Fisher rounded out the Bulldogs' champions in the 100 fly (59.12). Lester and Fisher were members of the 200 medley relay as well.

Andrew Moreton won the 50 freestyle (23.46) in the only individual event won by Central. Central's team of Sam Maguire, Alex Heddle, Clay Schermann and Moreton won the 200 free relay (1:37.44).

Notre Dame and Central will compete in the state meet starting Friday.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

Notre Dame 81, Dexter 37

Notre Dame kept rolling, winning its eighth straight game in convincing fashion on the road.

The Bulldogs (13-7) took a 26-7 lead after the first quarter and led 44-17 at halftime. Notre Dame had four players in double figures and shot 62 percent (33-53) from the floor.

Ashley Millham led the Bulldogs with 22 points. Sommer McCauley had 20, Ali Tyson 12 and Sierra Ellis 11.

Delta 51, Scott City 41

Despite foul trouble throughout, Delta held on for a home win.

The Bobcats (17-2) jumped out to an 18-6 lead after the first quarter, but had to play without point guard Rebecca Cook and leading scorer Rebecca Below for much of the second period. Without Cook and Below, Scott City outscored Delta 11-2 to pull within three at halftme.

Below led all scorers with 23 points. Jenny Pinkston paced Scott City with 14.

Perryville 54, Festus 37

Perryville moved to 7-1 in the Jefferson County Conference with a win at home.

April Lorenz scored 27 to lead the Pirates (13-7).

St. Vincent 43, Herculaneum 33

St. Vincent held a five-point lead for much of the game and pulled away in the fourth quarter to win at home.

Chelsey Brown and Danielle Schremp each had 12 points for St. Vincent (7-11).

-- From staff reports