SIKESTON TOURNEY TIPS OFF

Charleston High's boys basketball team has for many years been one of the traditionally top squads in the Sikeston Tournament. And the Blue Jays won the title last season.

But if the coaches wind up being pretty accurate in their seedings, then the Blue Jays -- seeded seventh out of eight teams -- won't even come close to another championship when the 27th annual event tips off tonight.

The Sikeston Invitational is one of two major tournaments around the area this week. On the girls side, Chaffee will hold its annual eight-team event that

Following is a look at how both tourneys stack up:

Sikeston

Charleston lost four starters to graduation and the Blue Jays are also -- at least for now -- without one of the area's top players in junior guard Howard Biles, who is not on the squad because he violated some team rules but could return for the second semester.

Thus, the Blue Jays received their lowest seed in memory.

Host Sikeston is the No. 1 seed, although the Bulldogs have already lost a season-opening game to second-seeded Blytheville, Ark., which lost to Charleston in last year's finals.

Notre Dame received the third seed, followed by New Madrid County Central, Poplar Bluff, Cape Girardeau Central, Charleston and Kennett.

Showing how unpredictable the tournament might be, Poplar Bluff has already knocked off Blytheville.

Three first-round games will be played tonight: New Madrid vs. Poplar Bluff at 5:30, Sikeston vs. Kennett at 7 and Charleston vs. Blytheville at 8:30.

Notre Dame and Cape Central square off at 5:30 Tuesday in the final opening-round contest.

One semifinal will be played at 8:30 Tuesday, with the other semifinal at 7 Thursday.

The championship game is set for 8:30 Friday, following the consolation final at 5:30 and the third-place contest at 7.

Chaffee

Unlike at Sikeston, this tournament is seeded to wind up just like last year -- when Scott City beat Kelly in the finals.

Scott City is seeded first, with Kelly second. Portageville is third, followed by Delta, Sikeston, Chaffee, Oran and East Prairie.

Tonight's first-round games pit Scott City vs. East Prairie at 5:30, Delta vs. Sikeston at 7 and Kelly vs. Oran at 8:30.

The final first-round contest will be played at 5:30 Wednesday as Chaffee meets Portageville.

One semifinal will be played at 7 Wednesday, with the other semifinal at 8 Thursday.

The tournament will conclude Saturday afternoon, with the consolation final at 1, the third-place game at 2:30 and the championship contest at 4.