Sikeston reign supreme at Notre Dame JV Invitational

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. —The Sikeston junior varsity boys basketball team started its season off by capturing first place in the Notre Dame Junior Varsity Invitational Tournament on Wednesday at Notre Dame Regional High School.

This marks the fourth straight year and the sixth time in the last seven years that the Bulldogs have won the tournament.

Sikeston won the championship with a 76-46 slam dunk victory over St. Mary's out of St. Louis, proving that they're the undisputed kings of the court – and they're not afraid to have a little fun along the way.

Ben James led the way for Sikeston with 16 points and eight assists, while Kobe Thomas added 12 points and 10 assists. Drake Williams chipped in with 14 points, including four perfect shots from behind the arc, and Will Lape contributed 12 points, all from three-point range. Malachi Davis rounded out the scoring with eight points and a team-high seven rebounds.

In the semifinal, the Bulldogs faced a tough challenge from Marion, Arkansas, but these tenacious pups were not about to let anyone spoil their party.

James once again paced the team with 16 points, while Thomas and Jaharus Goodwin added 11 and 10 points, respectively. It was a hard-fought battle, but the Bulldogs emerged victorious with a 56-46 win.

Sikeston opened the tournament with a 68-57 victory over Poplar Bluff. Thomas and Goodwin each had 16 points to lead the team, while Dontavious Wright added 12 points, Malachi Davis chipped in with 11, and James contributed eight points.