Previewing the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament

T'was the day after Christmas, and all through the Show Me Center, all the Cape creatures were stirring for a week-long basketball bender.

The SEMO banners were hung by the rafters with care. Hey, look, a future Redhawk is there!

Jay Reynolds brings his sharpshooting to his future home, as the Cape Central Tigers look to remain on their throne.

Being the runner-up can surely feel like a wreck. The Jackson Indians look to win it all, led by the Thoma trio, and of course, Kole Deck.

Charleston saw a lot of last year's players leave the Blue Jays. However, at 5-2, seniors Zachryan Thomas, Owen Willis, and Ko’Terrion Owens show they have plenty to play.

As the No. 4 seed, we have Notre Dame. At 1-5, Kolton Johnson's three-point shooting is the Bulldogs' only claim to fame.

As the No. 5 seed, Woodland is as good as it gets for small schools. Brayden Hastings, Reed Layton, and Lane Lee can make a lot of opponents look like fools.

The coaches of all 16 teams met like parliament, to agree on the alignment of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

I knew in a moment once they made their picks and the middle seeds were named, treated like placeholders, these dark horses arrive with a chip on their shoulder.

Kelly, Oak Ridge, Oran, and Scott City!

Make your statement while you can, or there will be no pity.

After four days of competition, there will be 15 frowns, for only one team will hold the crown.

__A first round Festivus airing of grievances__

There are plenty of teams who have a lot of problems with their first-round opponents on Tuesday, Dec. 26, and now, they're going to hear from them.

No. 14 Advance takes on No. 3 Charleston at noon, and all five meetings since 2015 have taken place in the Christmas Tournament. The Blue Jays have won the last four games against the Hornets, including the third-place game last year. Advance enters the tournament 1-5 and in rebuilding mode, while Charleston is 5-2, led by Ko’Terrion Owens, who scored 20 points in a 66-44 win at Kennett last week.

No. 6 Kelly faces No. 10 Chaffee at 6 p.m. and is riding high on a seven-game winning streak and is motivated by not being a top-four seed.

Chaffee has also lost seven straight games to Kelly, dating back to 2019. Senior center Blake Yarbro has consistently been a top-2 scorer for the Red Devils and their best option through the post.

4:30 p.m. will be the fifth meeting between No. 5 Woodland and No. 12 Meadow Heights since 2022. The Cardinals have won the last four meetings, including last year's Christmas Tournament, and are entering the fifth matchup with a scorching 7-1 start to the season.

The Panthers are 3-5 and have been in rebuild mode this season after the graduation of cornerstones Will Green and Koby Cook. They have recently been led by senior Ransom Grindstaff, who scored 17 points during the Panthers' 75-48 loss against Scott City on Friday.

No. 10 Leopold and No. 7 Oak Ridge (7:30 p.m.) previously met at the third-place game of the Woodland Invitational Tournament earlier this season, with the Blue Jays winning 74-61. Leopold (4-4) lost three straight meetings with Oak Ridge, after winning four straight ... after losing 10 straight from 2015-20. It's a real seesaw series. Oak Ridge (4-2) is led by Ty Wilson and the Hoebeck brothers, Brock and Konner, who recently scored his 1,000th career point during a 77-59 road loss at East Prairie on Dec. 15.

Finally, we have the most recent of the grudge matches. Scott City recently defeated Oran 61-57 on Dec. 8 and has won four out of their last five matchups. The Rams (5-1) will be without Kobe Watson for nearly the remainder of the regular season due to injury but have shown during Friday's 75-48 home win against Meadow Heights that there is still plenty of offense to go around. Against the Panthers, Jaylen Rulo scored 16 points, Mark Panagos scored 14 points with inside presence, and Nathan Ham scored 12 on all three-point shooting.

__You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch(s)__

Top-seeded Cape Central takes on No. 16 Delta at 9 a.m., No. 2 Jackson goes against No. 15 Bell City at 10:30 a.m., and No. 3 Charleston duels No. 14 Advance at noon.

If history is any predictor, Tuesday morning will be a breakfast buffet of grits, dunks, and donuts. Last year, Cape Central beat Bell City 99-13, Charleston lambasted Leopold 88-46 and Jackson dominated Delta 109-16.

You can chalk Delta, Bell City, and Advance for the consolation games to start Wednesday's slate of games.

__Potential upset?__

Despite having one win this season, Notre Dame was awarded the No. 4 seed based on status and reputation. The Bulldogs will take on Scott County Central, who are the No. 13 seed with a winning record, at 1:30 p.m. The Braves are 4-3 with wins over Advance, Delta and Chaffee. They also matched their season total from last season and could potentially win 10 games for the second time since 2020.

It is the second straight year Notre Dame is an upset target. The Bulldogs lost to Scott City as a No. 5 seed. It could go any way but it is one of the most interesting games of the first round.

__Staff Predictions__

The Southeast Missourian sports staff give their predictions for the winners of the Christmas Tournament.

__Tony Capobianco (Sports Editor)__

1st Place: Jackson

3rd Place: Woodland

5th Place: Scott City

9th Place: Notre Dame

__Clay Herrell__

1st Place: Cape Central

3rd Place: Charleston

5th Place: Woodland

9th Place: Chaffee

__Cole Lee__

1st Place: Cape Central

3rd Place: Woodland

5th Place: Kelly

9th Place: Chaffee

__Justin Trovillion__

1st Place: Jackson

3rd Place: Woodland

5th Place: Chaffee

9th Place: Kelly

__Dennis Marshall (Sikeston S-D)__

1st Place: Charleston

3rd Place: Jackson

5th Place: Kelly

9th Place: Scott County Central