Sikeston defense forces 33 turnovers in 99-30 rout of Kennett

SIKESTON, Mo. – After two postponements, the Sikeston Bulldogs and Kennett Indians finally were able to get their game in on Monday night at the Field House.

Sikeston’s pressure defense was too much for the Indians as the Bulldogs cruised to a 99-30 SEMO Conference victory.

The Bulldogs improve to 20-0 on the season and 5-0 in conference play while Kennett falls to 5-14 and 0-6 in league play.

Sikeston's Chris Artis (2) scores during a 99-30 win over Kennett at the Field House on Monday, Feb. 5, 2023.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Sikeston forced 21 of the Indians’ 33 turnovers in the first half as the Bulldogs built an insurmountable 59-20 lead by halftime.

“We were able to put a lot of pressure on their ball handlers and that helped us get out and score some transition baskets,” Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield said. “We shared the basketball and played with great energy.”

Kennett actually led at two different points early, holding a 1-0 lead and a 9-8 edge, but the Bulldogs went on a 12-0 run to take the lead for good.

Sikeston's Dontrez Williams (1) scores during a 99-30 win over Kennett at the Field House on Monday, Feb. 5, 2023.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“We seemed a little sluggish to start the game,” Holifield said. “We were missing shots that we normally make – we were missing layups and some point-blank shots inside which is uncharacteristic of this team, but that happens sometimes. I can’t fault the effort. Sometimes shots don’t fall, but you just have to keep playing hard and good things will happen.”

Sikeston led 24-11 after one quarter of play. The Bulldogs blew the game wide open with a 35-9 second quarter run.

The 35 points is the second most in a quarter for the Bulldogs this season – 42 in the first quarter against Lutheran-St. Charles in December is the most that the team has scored.

Sikeston's Lekereon McCray (23) scores during a 99-30 win over Kennett at the Field House on Monday, Feb. 5, 2023.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“We play up tempo and we play fast and we want to put up a lot of points,” Holifield said. “That’s how we like to play. We want to push the issue and get up and down the floor.”

Sikeston out-scored the Indians 23-5 in the third quarter to take an 82-25 lead heading into the final frame.

Both coaches agreed to start the continuous clock midway through the third quarter which put a swift end to the game.

Sikeston's Pj Farmer (24) scores during a 99-30 win over Kennett at the Field House on Monday, Feb. 5, 2023.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“Coach [Fred] Garmon has a young team and they’re learning,” Holifield said. “He is a great guy and a great basketball coach. Things just didn’t go their way tonight.”

Sikeston, which rested its starters after two and half quarters, was led by senior Dontrez Williams with 20 points, seven rebounds and five steals. Junior guard P.J. Farmer finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and six steals.

Junior guard Tristan Wiggins added 12 points with five assists and five steals. Junior guard Lekereon McCray scored 11 points.

Junior guard Chris Artis tallied nine points while sophomore Will Lape thrilled the home crowd with three straight 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to finish with nine points.

Junior 7-foot center Trace Sadler made his return from an ankle injury after missing five games. In limited time he finished with eight points, three rebounds and three blocked shots while igniting the Bleacher Bums with two massive jams.

“It was great having Trace back,” Holifield said. “He’s really been wanting to get back out there but we’ve been cautious and didn’t want to rush him. I thought he looked good out there tonight. Hopefully his ankle will continue to improve in the coming weeks.”

The Bulldogs recorded a whopping 27 steals in the game.

Sikeston shot 43 of 76 (57 percent) from the field and 6 of 16 (38 percent) from 3-point range.

According to the Missouri State High School Activities Association, Sikeston leads the state in scoring average (84 points per game) and also margin of victory (33 points per game).

Sikeston also reached 20 wins for the 14th time in Holifield’s 26 years at the school. Sikeston only had eight 20 win seasons in its school’s history prior to Holifield’s arrival.

“It’s a great accomplishment to win 20 games and something that we’re proud of,” Holifield said. “I know this is something that our players will look back on with great pride, but they also know that we have a lot of work to do and many of our goals are still on the table.”

It’s the second time this season Sikeston has defeated Kennett – also winning 90-37 in the SEMO Conference Tournament in December.

No junior varsity game was played as Kennett did not have enough players to suit up on Monday.

Sikeston will travel to play conference and district foe Cape Central on Friday. The junior varsity will tip off at 6 p.m.

__SIKESTON 99, KENNETT 30__

Kennett 11 9 5 5 -- 30

Sikeston 24 35 23 17 -- 99

KENNETT (30) – Ashton Dismukes 9, Chris Jefferson 6, Antonio Flakes 4, Tyquavious Jones 3, Cooper Henfling 3, Hunter Kirk 3, Gabriel Checkett 2. FG 12, FT 2-4, F 6. (3-pointers: Jefferson 2, Henfling 1, Jones 1. Fouled out: none).

SIKESTON (99) – Dontrez Williams 20, P.J. Farmer 19, Tristan Wiggins 12, Lekereon McCray 11, Chris Artis 9, Will Lape 9, Trace Sadler 8, Kobe Thomas 5, Isaiah Jimerson-Patterson 3, J’kwon Applewhite 2, Marcus Sanders 1. FG 43, FT 7-11, F 8. (3-pointers: Lape 3, Artis 1, Thomas 1. Fouled out: none).