Saxony remains lone unbeaten team

Jackson's boys basketball team may have the longest winning streak in the area at 11, but it is Saxony Lutheran that remains as the lone unbeaten boys team in Southeast Missouri.

With a win over Christ Our Savior Lutheran on Saturday, the Crusaders improved to 7-0 in their inaugural varsity season.

"I never imagined being 7-0 at this point," Saxony Lutheran coach John Daniel said. "I'm not sure we have any wins over really good teams at this point, but we're happy to be 7-0."

The Crusaders have beaten fellow Mississippi Conference opponents Oak Ridge, Zalma and Chaffee, and have had big wins over much larger schools such as St. Pius and Valle Catholic.

Saxony Lutheran will play Oran on Thursday in its first game back from Christmas break and then will have another week off before hosting Christ Our Savior Lutheran.

"We're going to go to Oran next Thursday, we're 7-0 and they're 1-6, but they're probably better than us," Daniel said. "We're 7-0, but we're not that good. I'm telling them we have a chance to be a good team, but I don't think they should assume we're a good team yet."

Much of the talk surrounding the team has revolved around sophomore Lauren Lueders, the lone female on the team. Lueders has lived up to the hype, averaging 14.1 points. Saxony's leading scorer is center Tim Lorenz, who averages 16.3 points.

All-tournament team

After closing out the 59th annual Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament with a thrilling 63-60 final between local rivals Central and Jackson, it was only appropriate the two finalists led the all-tournament team with two players apiece.

Jackson, the tournament winner, was represented by Jack Puisis and Tyler McNeely. Puisis and McNeely combined for 51 points in the championship game.

Representing the Tigers were Ryan Delph and Scott Chestnutt. Other all-tournament team members included Travis Benfield (Woodland), Dominitrix Johnson (Bell City), Chris Pullen (Scott County Central), Bryce Willen (Notre Dame), Mark Dannenmueller (Scott City), Marcus Biles (Charleston) and Zack Kelley (Delta).

Wittenborn receives honor

Notre Dame soccer coach Brad Wittenborn was recognized as the boys soccer coach of the year for 2002 in Missouri by the National Federation Coaches Association.

Coaches from each sport are selected by the NFCA based on their knowledge and dedication to the sport.

Wittenborn led the Bulldogs to the Class 2 championship in 2002.

Central game canceled

Central's boys basketball team's home game scheduled for Jan. 13 against Anna-Jonesboro has been canceled. Anna-Jonesboro had to pull out of the game due to a scheduling conflict.

College notes

Central graduate Kim Pancoast earned first-team academic all-Big 12 in cross country this fall. Pancoast, a redshirt freshman at the University of Nebraska, finished 27th in the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship, which Nebraska won. Pancoast was one of five runners to score in every meet for the Huskers, who finished the season ranked 19th.

Central Missouri State University freshman Ashley Millham, a Notre Dame graduate, scored 12 points in the Jennies MIAA opener against Pittsburg State. Central Missouri State won 80-72 to improve to 8-2. Lisa Millham, a sophomore and Ashley's sister, added six points.