Sikeston turns on jets, flies by Poplar Bluff in SEMO Conference Semifinal

SIKESTON — The initial ascent encountered some turbulence, but Sikeston ignited the afterburners, unleashing an offensive firestorm and defensive lockdown in a lop-sided win over Poplar Bluff in a SEMO Conference Tournament Semifinal.

The top-seeded Bulldogs (5-0) rocketed from a cruising altitude to supersonic speed in the 86-57 victory over the fifth-seeded Mules (3-4) at the Fieldhouse on Thursday, Dec. 7

“Poplar Bluff came out strong, but we saw a dramatic improvement in both our defense and ball movement during the second quarter,” said Sikeston coach Gregg Holifield. “Our defensive pressure intensified, which triggered offensive opportunities and helped us find our rhythm. The second quarter was pivotal, as our defensive aggression sparked our offense and set the tone for the rest of the game.”

Sikeston�s PJ Farmer (24) competes during an 86-57 win over Poplar Bluff in a SEMO Conference Tournament Semifinal at the Fieldhouse on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Poplar Bluff’s Marlon Hickman-Roberson scored on consecutive possession, giving the Mules to an early 8-2 lead.

Refusing to be grounded, the Bulldogs called a timeout and immediately responded with a seven-point run, capped by a J’Kwon Applewhite layup that put them in front 9-8.

The remaining moments of the first quarter saw the lead teeter between the two teams. Preston Moore’s putback put Poplar Bluff back ahead, but Sikeston came right back with a 3-point play by Dontrez Williams.

Sikeston�s Tristan Wiggins (0) shoots during an 86-57 win over Poplar Bluff in a SEMO Conference Tournament Semifinal at the Fieldhouse on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

The Mules regained the lead when Moore scored inside but Kobe Thomas sank a floater to swing things back in the Bulldogs’ favor.

In the final five seconds of the first quarter, Sikeston seized command with PJ Farmer's strong finish, and with the clock ticking down, the Bulldogs snatched the inbounds pass.

Lekereon McCray’s buzzer-beating tip-in secured a thrilling 19-15 lead for Sikeston as the first quarter closed.

Sikeston�s Dontrez Williams (1) dunks during an 86-57 win over Poplar Bluff in a SEMO Conference Tournament Semifinal at the Fieldhouse on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“That was a big play,” Holifield said. “Farmer is such an outstanding guard and does a great job of getting everyone involved. McCray also had a good night. He’s very heady and does a terrific job of raising up the defender and getting to the rim.”

Trace Sadler anchored the paint with several crucial blocks in the first quarter.

“It totally changed the game inside,” Holifield said. “He’s long and active. When he’s doing that, good things will happen.”

Sikeston�s Trace Sadler (3) shoots during an 86-57 win over Poplar Bluff in a SEMO Conference Tournament Semifinal at the Fieldhouse on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Tristan Wiggins’s three-pointer with 6:41 remaining in the second quarter was a turning point in the game. It finally broke Sikeston’s 0-for-7 streak from beyond the arc, extending their lead to 24-15 and injecting much-needed momentum into the offense.

Wiggin’s 3-pointer felt like a symbolic launchpad, and the Bulldogs were ready to take off.

“We’re good shooters, and we know it’ll click eventually,” Holifield said. “But we can’t just settle for 3s. When we attack the inside and then kick it out, our shooting percentages go way up.”

In the blink of an eye, the lead had ballooned to 38-17, as the offense took flight on back-to-back arena-deafening dunks by Williams and Farmer.

“It’s a part of the game where you just have to keep grinding and pushing,” Holifield said. “When your shots aren’t dropping, you gotta attack the rim. We started driving way more, and that made a huge difference.”

With the clock ticking down towards halftime, Chris Artis threaded a needle pass through traffic, finding Wiggins wide open beyond the arc.

Without hesitation, Wiggins launched a 3-pointer that swished through the net just before the buzzer sounded.

“We clamped down defensively in the second quarter, which opened up opportunities on offense and helped us build momentum,” Holifield said.

Sikeston continued its dominance in the second half, extending the lead to a whopping 30 points after Kobe Thomas buried a corner 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter.

This triggered the mercy rule, putting the running clock in effect for the final period.

For the second straight game, the Bulldogs were able to empty their bench, providing valuable experience for the reserves.

Sikeston will face the winner of second-seeded New Madrid County Central (4-0) and third-seeded Cape Central (3-1) in the championship on Friday, Dec. 8 at 8:30 p.m.

__SIKESTON 86, POPLAR BLUFF 57__

Poplar Bluff 15 10 19 13 — 57

Sikeston 19 32 26 9 — 86

Poplar Bluff (57) — Preston Moore 14, Darius Graham 12, Dallas Williams 7, Marlon Hickman-Roberson 6, Isaiah Nevel 4, Brendan Durden 4, Jay Edmundson 3, Camerson Settle 2, Torrence Williams 2, Blaise Rowland 2, Nicolai Sohahong-Kombet 1. FG: 22. FT: 12-18. F: 21. (3-pointers: Edmundson 1. Fouled out: none).

Sikeston (86) — Dontrez Williams 20, PJ Farmer 16, Lekereon McCray 12, Kobe Thomas 11, Tristan Wiggins 11, J’Kwon Applewhite 5, Trace Sadler 4, Will Lape 3, Ben James 2, Malachi Davis 2. FG: 33. FT: 16-27. F: 18. (3-pointers: Wiggins 2, Thomas 1, Lape 1. Fouled out: none).