Sikeston, SCC, NMCC and Delta prepare for the regular season with jamboree

SIKESTON — Jamborees are an essential part of the preseason, providing teams with an opportunity to fine-tune their skills and make final adjustments.

The Sikeston, Scott County Central, New Madrid County Central and Delta girls’ basketball teams gathered at the Field House on Wednesday, November 15 and offered a glimpse into the talent and potential of these young athletes, preparing them for the upcoming season.

Each team displayed promising moments and demonstrated their capacity for growth, seizing the opportunity to refine their skills, shed the pre-season jitters, and gear up for the intensity of the regular season.

Scott County Central's Nikki Adams and Sikeston's Marlie Crook competes during the Sikeston Jamboree at the Field House on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

"I'm pleased with our overall performance, especially our competitive spirit against a strong Delta team,” said Sikeston coach Vaughn Shephard. “We identified areas for improvement, but I'm confident that with consistent effort and dedication, we'll reach our full potential. Our defensive anticipation was solid, and we transitioned well in offense until fatigue set in. We'll work on rebounding and maintaining consistent energy throughout the game. When we execute our fundamentals, we create opportunities for success."

Each team took part in three abbreviated games, each segmented into two six-minute halves.

The jamboree provided a valuable opportunity for the teams to assess their strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to make necessary adjustments before the regular season commences.

NMCC's Kyrstin Gorden (15) shoots during the Sikeston Jamboree at the Field House on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

"As a young team still finding our footing and developing chemistry, I'm encouraged by our progress, particularly in our last game,” said NMCC coach Dana Woods. “I'm experimenting with different lineups to discover the best combinations. We lacked intensity in our first two games, appearing hesitant and sluggish. Despite our youth, we possess immense potential, and I'm confident we'll coalesce into a formidable force this season. Understandably, some nervousness affected our performance last night, but I expect us to shake off those jitters soon. We're committed to addressing our shortcomings and preparing for the upcoming season."

Scott County Central coach Andrew Pullen praised his team's hustle and ball movement but acknowledged the need to refine rebounding and positioning. “We started a little slow,” he said. “But we found our rhythm and showed some positive signs. We'll continue to work hard and identify areas for improvement.”

Delta coach David Heeb, on the other hand, remained grounded in their assessment, acknowledging the team's room for growth.

“We're still a work in progress,” he said, “There's a lot of room for improvement. We have a lot of young players gaining valuable varsity experience, and that will take time to translate into consistent performance. We're committed to putting in the effort, and by the end of the season, this could be the best team we have ever had.”

Despite the varying levels of experience and preparedness among the teams, the jamboree served as a valuable stepping stone for all involved. It provided a glimpse into the potential of these young athletes, allowing them to showcase their skills and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in the regular season.

Sikeston will open the regular season against Park Hills Central in the St. Paul Lutheran Shoot Out on November 18.

Scott County Central starts the year at Puxico on November 20, NMCC hosts Paragould (Arkansas) on November 17 and Delta travels to Chaffee on November 20.