SCOTT CITY'S SISK, SANFORD SIGN LETTERS

SCOTT CITY -- Scott City High's boys basketball team had one of the more potent inside attacks in the area this past season and the two players primarily responsible for that will be taking their games to the collegiate level.

Chris Sisk, a 6-foot-5 senior, recently signed a letter of intent with Missouri Baptist College in St. Louis. That comes on the heels of Sisk's teammate, Dustin Cauble, signing a couple of weeks ago with Southwestern (Kan.) College.

Sisk, a two-year starter for the Rams, averaged 14 points and eight rebounds as a senior as he earned all-region honors. He shot 56 percent from the field and 70 percent from the free-throw line

"Chris really had a good two years starting for us," said Scott City coach Derek McCord. "He did an excellent job. He was a strong rebounder and a good shooter. He can really shoot from inside 20 feet. He's a good three-point shooter, but we didn't need him to do that."

Missouri Baptist, which competes on the NAIA level, struggled last season but the squad hopes to rebound under a new coach.

"I think Chris will fit in nice with their style of play," McCord said. "They like to push the ball up and down the floor. I think he'll be able to play either small forward or power forward for them. He's really working on getting stronger and working on his shooting range."

Sisk becomes the fifth Scott City player in the last three years to earn a basketball scholarship.

"I'm really pleased that these kids can continue to play basketball and get their college education paid for," said McCord. "It's a great opportunity for them."

SC's Sanford headed to Rend Lake

SCOTT CITY -- Another four-year starter for Scott City's girls basketball team will be continuing her athletic career in college.

Tara Sanford, a Scott City senior, recently signed a letter of intent with Rend Lake Junior College of Ina, Ill.

A 5-foot-5 guard, Sanford joined Sara Emerson as four-year starters for coach Randy White's Lady Rams. Emerson previously signed to play for Friends University in Wichita, Kan.

"I'm just tickled to death for the kids," said White. "It's a good opportunity for both Tara and Sara."

Sanford was one of the area's top players as a junior when she averaged 19 points per game and earned second team Class 2A all-state honors.

Her senior season was hampered greatly by a serious knee injury suffered during volleyball. Sanford missed quite a few games at the start of the basketball season but came back to average 13 points per game.

"Tara never did get back to top playing form because she never did have time," White said. "They expected her to be out about four months but she worked really hard to rehabilitate and got back in about three months. It's a credit to her that she came back like she did."

At Rend Lake, Sanford will play for coach Ronnie Ressel, a former basketball standout at Notre Dame High in Cape Girardeau. Ressel led the Lady Warriors to a 23-9 record last season and a tie for the conference title with national junior-college power John A. Logan.