OFFENSES STUGGLE IN THE GRAND FINALE OF TIGER SHOWCASE

At the 3:41 mark of the second quarter, Central scored its eighth point of the game on a free throw.

Exactly eight minutes later -- with 3:41 to go in the third quarter -- the Tigers finally broke the double-digit barrier.

Offense definitely wasn't showcased in the final game of the Tiger Showcase as the Cape Central Tigers (2-8) fell 38-31 to the Vianney Golden Griffins (4-6).

Vianney, which featured an imposing frontcourt of 6-foot-9 Steve Austin and 6-5 Kevin McLear, totally shut down and frustrated Central's offense. The Tigers missed 20 of their first 23 shots. Central trailed 8-2 after the first quarter and 19-8 going into halftime.

The Golden Griffins played a similar game against St. Louis University High on Thursday, when they held the Junior Bills to 28 total points, including nine in the first half.

"They're not ugly if you win," said a grinning Vianney coach Kevin Walsh.

With their huge front court, Vianney plays a sagging man-to-man defense. Central, which has no player taller than 6-foot-2, had absolutely no chance to get off a good shot inside and the Tigers' perimeter shots weren't falling.

"They have no reason to chase people around," said Central coach Brett Reutzel. "In their conference and their district, they don't have the depth and athleticism to really get after people on defense, so they do this so they can win their district and I don't blame them."

As bad as Central looked on offense -- it shot 29 percent from the field -- the Tigers were never out of the game. Central trailed 31-17 with 5:27 to go in the fourth, but battled back to within 31-24 with 2:21 remaining.

No player from either team scored in double figures.

J.P. Limbaugh and Michael Cox scored seven apiece for Central.

Austin and Steve Waterkotte both had nine for Vianney.

Parkway South 48Jackson 40

Parkway South outscored a seemingly tired Jackson squad 20-12 in the fourth quarter, which was the difference in the ballgame.

The Indians scored less than half what they did Friday night in a 90-83 win over Poplar Bluff. Jackson led 18-16 at halftime.

Lance Bollinger led Jackson with 16 points and was the only Indian in double figures.

Parkway South got 11 points from Jason Bertram.

New Madrid 55 Jennings 44

Perennial basketball power Jennings couldn't stop Dereke Tipler's penetration as the Eagles outscored the Warriors 16-8 in the third quarter.

Tipler led all scorers with 20 points, while Desmond Sims scored 14 and Ronland Ranson added 10.

New Madrid, last year's Class 3A state champions, held a 26-23 lead at halftime over Jennings, which was a state semifinalist a year ago.

Carl Sharp led Jennings with 14 points.