POPLAR BLUFF GIRLS UPEND CAPE CENTRAL FOR 9TH STRAIGHT WIN

POPLAR BLUFF -- In a power matchup featuring two of the premier girls high school basketball teams in Southeast Missouri, Poplar Bluff rallied for a 69-52 victory over visiting Cape Girardeau Central Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Mules won their ninth straight game and improved to 12-2. The state-ranked Lady Tigers fell to 14-3.

Amy Hendricks poured in 23 points for Poplar Bluff. Abby Harris led Cape Central with 16 and Nichole Thiele added 10.

Poplar Bluff trailed 19-5 after one quarter. But the Lady Mules outscored the Lady Tigers 22-4 in the second period to grab a 27-23 halftime lead. They led 43-37 after three quarters and pulled away down the stretch.

Both teams will compete in this week's Charleston Tournament.

Jackson 49, Perryville 41

PERRYVILLE -- Jackson outscored Perryville 10-4 in the fourth quarter and held off an upset attempt by the Lady Pirates.

The victory was Jackson's second of the season over Perryville and improved the Lady Indians record to 14-2.

Michele Millham was the lone Lady Indian to reach double figures, scoring a game-high 14 points.

Perryville received 12 points from Renee Kaempfe and 11 points form Dena Schumer.

The game was tied 21-21 at halftime and Jackson opened a scant 39-37 lead by the start of the fourth quarter.

"It was a good game all the way through," said Jackson coach Ron Cook.

Jackson played its first game without guard Christa Millham, who ininjured her foot in Thursday's victory over Notre Dame. Millham, who averages 10 points a game, is expected to be out at least two weeks. The extent of her injury has yet to be determined.

"It was an adjustment not having her out there," said Cook. "She does a lot for us on defense."

Jackson returns to action Thursday in the Charleston Tournament. Jackson plays the Notre Dame-New Madrid winner in a 7 p.m. semifinal.

BOYS SWIMMING

Central places sixth

SPRINGFIELD -- Cape Central's boys swim team placed sixth in Saturday's Springfield Invitational, finishing with 135 points.

Springfield teams gave a strong showing, finishing 1-2 in the 13-team field.

Springfield Glendale won the meet with 205 points, followed by Springfield Kickapoo 197.50, Oakville 142.50, Rockhurst 141, Mehlville 139.5 and Central.

"I don't think our place reflects the way we swam," said Cape Central coach Dayna Powell, whose team was looking for its fourth victory in the meet.

The top 12 swimmers in each event scored points.

"You had to be faster this year get in the top 12," said Powell.

Powell said Nick Sterrett had an exceptional day in diving, recording a school record 321.10 points in 11 dives. Sterrett placed second.

Also placing second was the 200- and 400-meter freestyle relay teams, Matt Younghouse in the 200 and 500 freestyles and Jason Owen in the 200 individual medley.

The meet wrapped up the regular season competition. The Tigers still have a state qualifying meet at Country Day on Friday prior to the state meet in Columbia.

Cape Central results

Medley relay - 7. 1:50.13 (Ben Roeger, Jason Marietta, Jason Owen, Ben Chisman)

200 freestyle -- 2. Matt Younghouse 1:51.78; 7. Ben Reoger 1:57.88

200 IM -- 2. Owen 2:06.27; 10. Jamie Higgins 2:21.12

Diving - 2. Nick STerrett 321.10 (11 dives)

100 freestyle -- 9. Eric Yount 52.48

500 freestyle -- 2. Younghouse 5:06.97

200 freestyle relay -- 9. 1:37.92 (Higgins, Chisman, Younghouse, E. Yount)

100 backstroke -- 3. Owen 57.31; 6. Roeger 1:01.74

400 freestyle relay -- 2. 3:32.99 (Roeger, Owen, Younghouse, E. Yount)