SHORTHANDED TIGERS OVERCOME FORFEITS, PIN LOSS ON DEXTER

The Cape Central wrestling team grabbed its first win of the season with a dominating performance over Dexter, posting a 57-21 victory Monday despite giving up 18 points in forfeits.

The Tiger grapplers improved to 1-3 in duals with the win.

"The kids have been working hard for a win and they got it," said Cape Central coach Josh Crowell. "They did a heck of a job, and I'm very proud of them."

The Tigers' next action will be in their own Tiger Classic this weekend. The two-day meet will begin Friday at 6 p.m.

Cape Central 57, Dexter 21

103 - Brady Roper (D) forfeit

112 - Joe Carr (CC) forfeit

119 - Paul Miller (CC) pin Chris Wyatt, 5:10

125 - Dustin Ingram (CC) pin Adam miles 1:38

130 - Jason Huey (D) forfeit

135 - Trevor Duncan (CC) pin Brian Bess, 3:01

140 - Jeff Dunaway (CC) pin mike Huffman, 3:57

145 - Leland Welk (CC) pin Jason Rangel , 1:18

152 - Josh Goodrich (CC) pin Corey Stevens, 1:56

160 - Matt Terry (D) dec. Nick Harter, 10-5

171 - Otis Turner (CC) pin Cody Tunes, :51

189 - Shannon Mungle (CC) pin Craig Adams, 3:34

215 - Tay Moore (CC) dec. Brandon Barnes, 14-13

HWT - Zach Taylor (D) forfeit

Central JV winners: Kenneth Lowe (145), Monroe Hicks (152), Justin Cain (171)

BOYS BASKETBALL

Oak Ridge 68, Meadow Heights 67

PATTON -- Oak Ridge featured five players in double figures as the Blue Jays overcame a second-half deficit.

Oak Ridge, which trailed by 12 points midway through the third quarter, received 15 points from Matt Schoen, 12 from Ryan Thomas, 11 apiece from Jeff Cowen and Clayton Ruesler and 10 from Beau Morrison.

Joe Jones scored a game-high 18 points for Meadow Heights (1-5) while Mike Payne and Cody Thompson had 15 apiece.

Meadow Heights led 31-29 at halftime and pushed its lead to double figures early in the third quarter before faltering.

"We have some kids sick. We just got fatigued and couldn't guard," said Meadow Heights coach Jeff Gravon.

With Oak Ridge leading 68-65 with six seconds left, Jones hit an outside shot but his foot was ruled to be touching the 3-point line and the Panthers fell a point short.

Scott Co. Central 81, Puxico 70

MORLEY -- Scott County Central coach Steve Wells faced his former team Monday night and saw his Braves record an 81-70 victory.

Wells coached Puxico the past three years and encountered his former team for the first time.

"The kids were determined and put up a good fight and good show," Wells said of his former squad.

Jreece Johnson continued to post big numbers for Scott County Central (5-1) with 31 points. Todd Blissett added 20, Chris Johnson had 13 and Nick Wheeler tossed in 10.

J.W. Mattingly scored a game-high 33 points for Puxico.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Cape Central 51, North County 49

BONNE TERRE -- Cape Central built a 17-8 first-quarter lead and held on to edge North County.

Mindy Hoffman, a 5-9 forward, nailed five 3-pointers and recorded 19 points for Cape Central (5-1). Teammate Sara Hyslop pitched in with 14 points.

Despite the win, Cape Central coach Darrick Smith was not impressed with his team's overall performance.

"We really didn't play well at all," said Smith. "We had 22 turnovers. I think it was our worst performance of the year. Mindy Hoffman's effort was the reason we won."

Tara Emily was the top performer for North County, hitting for 24 points.

Cape Central's JV squad won as well, 36-25. Lady Tiger Kate Richards was the high scorer, recording 11 points.

Notre Dame 53, Fredericktown 34

Led by sophomore forward Lisa Millham, Notre Dame improved to 6-1.

Millham scored 19 points to lead the Lady Bulldogs in scoring. Senior guard Michelle Hency added 10 points.

"I think both teams played hard," said Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim. "Last year they beat us over there, so there was a little revenge factor, I think. They have a good team with an active defense, but we moved the ball well in the second half."

Nicki Tucker led the Lady Black Cats in scoring, tallying 14 points.

Notre Dame will play next Monday in the HealthSouth Tournament.

Kelly 65, East Prairie 33

EAST PRAIRIE -- Marissa Essner netted a season-high 38 points as the Lady Hawks improved to 3-0 in the Scott Mississippi Conference and 7-0 on the season.

Bridgett Riley added 10 points for Kelly while Amber Scherer and Audrey Burford combined for 14 assists.

"We had a real good offensive combination with Amber Scherer, Audrey Burford and Marissa Essner," said Kelly coach Curtis Finley. "Amber and Audrey had some good screens and passes and Marissa hit the jumpers."

Kelly will return to action Saturday in the Twin Rivers Lady Royal Christmas Tournament.

Chaffee 49, Delta 45

DELTA -- Chaffee freshman forward Jennifer Vandeven scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Lady Red Devils to victory.

In a match that saw several lead changes, free-throw shooting proved to be the difference. Chaffee made 7 of 13 from the charity stripe while Delta could only manage only 3 of 12.

"When we shoot 50 percent from the free-throw line, we're usually successful," said Chaffee coach Tammy Brock. "My kids played good, hard, aggressive basketball tonight."

Delta's top scorer was freshman Rebecca Below, who knocked down 22 points.

Chaffee improved to 2-4 with the win, as Delta fell to 2-4.

Chaffee will play Woodland at home Thursday night.

Scott County Central 49, Oran 38

ORAN -- The Bravettes were victorious over Oran, thanks in part to the work of Vontrice Blackmon, who netted 25 points.

Scott County led 25-14 at the half, which was all the Bravettes needed, as they played Oran to a stalemate in the second half.

Ashley Dirnberger had the hot hand in scoring for Oran, recording 16 points. Teammate Ani Lange added 11 points, including three three-pointers.

The Bravettes (4-1) will go against Jackson in the first round of the Healthsouth Christmas Tournament on Monday, Dec. 20th.

8th Grade Basketball

The Cape Central 8th grade boys defeated Charleston 65-62.

Micah Reutzel led Central with 19 points. Mike Brown added 17 points and Mitch Craft tallied 15.

Cape Central improved to 3-2. Charleston, which suffered its first loss, fell to 4-1.