Sikeston Bulldogs battle at districts

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Sikeston competes at the MSHSAA Class 2, District 1 Individual and Double District Tournament at Farmington on Thursday, May 4.

While the Bulldogs didn’t capture any championship, the team continued demonstrating its growth and determination.

“We played our best,” said Sikeston coach Matt Lawler. “I am super proud of the progress we have shown, especially at the JV level.”

Leo Huang competed hard in a 6-2, 6-2 singles loss to Mehlville’s Samuel Herbig, while the doubles team of Benjamin Gilmore and Michael Walton earned an opening-round 6-4, 6-4 win over Farmington’s Rakers and Coutrell but fell 6-0, 6-0 to Mehlville’s Anes Ramic and Aydin Pasic in the quarterfinals.

“I also want to add that every single player and coach I encountered this year were polite, helpful, and showed excellent sportsmanship,” Lawler continued. “It’s a tribute to the schools involved and the game itself.”

Mehlville’s Edin Muminovic won the singles title and Notre Dame’s Charlie West and Thomas Southard captured the doubles championship. Muminovic dominated the singles final with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Notre Dame’s Michael Bogdanovich, while West and Southard defeated teammates Blake Schreckenberg and Matthew Austin 6-2, 6-3 in the championship.

Sikeston’s season continues with the Class 2, District 1 Team Tournament on Monday, May 6, where they face a tough opponent in Farmington. Farmington defeated Sikeston 9-0 earlier this season.

Despite being underdogs, Lawler remains optimistic.

“My team will take it one point at a time,” he said. “They are likely the superior team, but they are probably not ‘9-0’ better than us, and that’s what we are out to prove on Monday. We may not be experts yet but we are no longer rookies.”