Sikeston opens SEMO Conference Tournament with 53-point beatdown of Kennett

SIKESTON — Rarely in life are things as good as advertised.

But Sikeston, in its home debut at the Fieldhouse, wasn't just good, it was a highlight reel on fast forward, annihilating Kennett 90-37 in the first round of the SEMO Conference Tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

The top-seeded Bulldogs (4-0) dominated from start to finish, leaving the nets swishing with sweet satisfaction as the eighth-seeded Indians (3-2) simply couldn't keep up.

Sikeston's PJ Farmer (24) brings the ball up the court during a 90-37 win over Kennett in the first round of the SEMO Conference Tournament at the Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“We came out with good energy,” said Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield. “We shared the basketball which helped us get into rhythm. Our passes were on time which allowed us to shoot well. Our defensive pressure was also good and allowed us to build our lead.”

Sikeston exploded out of the gate with Tristan Wiggins knocking down a 3-pointer off an assist from PJ Farmer for the first points of the game and never looked back.

The Bulldogs’ offense put on a clinic in team basketball in the opening quarter with 11 of the team’s 14 made shots coming off of assists.

Sikeston's Tristan Wiggins (0) goes for a layup during a 90-37 win over Kennett in the first round of the SEMO Conference Tournament at the Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Sikeston led 32-5 at the end of the first quarter after Dontrez Williams slammed the door shut with a rim-rattling dunk, and then Lekereon McCray delivered a laser-like dime that found Williams soaring for an alley-oop that defied gravity.

“It was great to see our fans,” Holifield said. “I’m proud of the players for establishing themselves right off the bat and doing a lot of good things out there tonight.”

The Bulldogs didn’t let up in the second quarter, continuing to carve up the defense like a Thanksgiving turkey. By halftime, it was 57-17, with Wiggins burying another 3-pointer off an assist from Farmer just before the buzzer.

Sikeston's student section goes crazy with excitement after a monster dunk during a 90-37 win over Kennett in the first round of the SEMO Conference Tournament at the Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

The second half was no different. Sikeston cruised on autopilot, but the lead kept growing, reaching an astonishing 79-25 after Ben James muscled in for an offensive rebound and putback at the end of the third quarter.

"We rebounded better tonight,” Holifield concluded. “That’s been a point of emphasis. I didn’t think we rebounded well on Saturday [against Cape Central] but we were more aggressive tonight.”

Williams led the Bulldogs’ highlight reel with 19, while Wiggins and Farmer added 18 and 11, respectively.

Sikeston's J'Kwon Applewhite (22) finishes over a defender during a 90-37 win over Kennett in the first round of the SEMO Conference Tournament at the Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Sikeston has 11 players score and six different players make 10 total 3-point shots.

Ashton Dismukes was the Indians’ leading scorer with 13.

Kennett takes on fourth-seeded Jackson (1-3) in the consolation bracket on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.

Sikeston will face fifth-seeded Poplar Bluff (3-3) in a semifinal on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.

__SIKESTON 90, KENNETT 37__

Kennett 5 12 8 12 — 37

Sikeston 32 25 22 11 — 90

Kennett (37) — Ashton Dismukes 13, Chris Jefferson 6, D’Shun Wilson 5, Cooper Henfling 4, Zy’kerrion Taylor 4, Tyquavious Jones 3, Emaurion Truss 2. FG: 11. FT: 10-20. F: 5. (3-pointers: Dismukes 2, Henfling 1, Jones 1, Wilson 1. Fouled out: none).

Sikeston (90) — Dontrez Williams 19, Tristan Wiggins 18, PJ Farmer 11, J’Kwon Applewhite 8, Lekereon McCray 7, Will Lape 6, Trace Sadler 6, Ben James 5, Chris Artis 4, Kobe Thomas 4, Malachi Davis 2. FG: 30. FT: 4-5. F: 17. (3-pointers: Wiggins 4, Lape 2, Williams 1, James 1, McCray 1, Farmer 1. Fouled out: none).