Sikeston wins at NMCC, nearly upsets state-ranked Delta

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Jakiah Adams and Landri Hammontree led Sikeston to a win at New Madrid County Central on Monday, Jan. 9.

Adams finished with 19 points and Hammontree added 18, and the duo combined to make nine 3-pointers for the Lady Bulldogs (2-11) in the 53-42 victory over the Lady Eagles (0-12).

“We started good with intensity,” said Sikeston coach Vaughn Shephard. “We got into some foul trouble, but we didn’t lay down or fold. We had to play some younger players. They had good minutes and did what they were supposed to do off the bench.”

Sikeston's Alex Seger (20) drive baseline during a 53-42 win at New Madrid County Central on Monday, Jan. 9. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

The teams were tied 4-4 a couple of minutes into the game, but Sikeston built a 20-6 lead after a strong finish to the opening quarter that included four made shots from outside by Adams.

“[Adams has] been shooting the ball very well,” Shephard said. “When she gets hot she can knock them down. She has good form, and is a good athlete and ball player. She’s a dangerous player when she’s in her zone.”

The big run by the Lady Bulldogs proved to be the difference in the game as the teams traded buckets for much of the remainder of the game.

Sikeston coach Vaughn Shephard goes over the play with the Lady Bulldogs in the fourth quarter of a 53-42 win at New Madrid County Central on Monday, Jan. 9. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Sikeston extended the lead to its largest margin (19) in the second quarter after a step-back 3-pointer from Hammontree, but the Lady Eagles, playing with just five players, showed a lot of heart to keep the game competitive throughout and narrowed it to 27-19 at halftime.

“Those girls [on NMCC] have a lot of heart,” Shephard said. “They’re going to have a really good team in the future and be a good ball club.”

NMCC got it closest about midway through the third quarter when Emani Summer, who finished with a game-high 26 points, scored in transition to narrow the lead to 32-26.

NMCC's Jordan Maltbia (10) runs in transition during a 53-42 loss to Sikeston on Monday, Jan. 9. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“[Summers] is pretty much unstoppable when she gets in rhythm,” said NMCC coach Dana Woods. “She’s fast, can jump, and can really go.”

However, the Lady Bulldogs quickly increased their advantage back to double digits after Alex Segers made a short shot and Hammontree knocked down a pair of free throws.

The Lady Eagles were able to get back within striking distance a couple of times later in the third quarter, but baskets to start the fourth quarter from Hammontree and Keara Johnson put the game out of reach.

Sikeston's Keara Johnson (30) looks for an open teammate during a 53-42 win at New Madrid County Central on Monday, Jan. 9. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“It’s a big challenge [playing with only five players] but they have big hearts,” Woods said. “They’re working hard and improving every day. They’re giving all they can give me and I couldn’t ask for more from them. I’m proud of them and appreciate them coming out and working every day. These are the only five that stuck with me and trusted the process.”

Both teams return to action on Thursday, Jan. 12.

NMCC travels to Portageville (8-4), while Sikeston will host Notre Dame (10-0), the fifth-ranked team in Class 5 according to the latest MBCA Poll.

“It’s going to be a mountain we have to climb right there,” Shephard said. “They have a good ball club and [Notre Dame] coach Matt Rubel are great friends. We all know that we have a very difficult challenge ahead of us, but these girls are excited about the opportunity.”

__DELTA 66, SIKESTON 63, OT__

Sikeston nearly stunned Class 1, No. 2 Delta in the Hall of Fame Classic on Saturday, Jan. 7.

The Lady Bulldogs fell 66-63 in overtime to the Ladycats (12-2) but played their best game of the season against arguably their toughest competition to date.

“We lost on paper, but the way I feel inside don’t feel like we lost,” Shephard said. “The way those girls played today, we feel like winners because they did a great job. We can definitely build off of the way we played today.”

Sikeston was led by Hammontree, who scored a game and career-high 32.

“[Hammontree] came to play today,” Shephard said. “She shot the ball well. She was driving the basketball and getting her floater in. She also had some fast-break scores. She was all over the place and doing it all.

“This was our best game all season,” he continued. “[Delta] is a championship team and they have been blowing people out left and right. We just came out and worked the game plan. We wanted to stop them from shooting from the outside and just tried to counter everything they wanted to do. I think that frustrated them a bit and got them tired because they had to work extra hard for their points.”

However, it was turnovers at the end and missed free throws that cost the Lady Bulldogs from being able to pull off the upset.

“Our girls went head to head with them and didn’t back down.,” Shephard said. “We went at them and gave it everything we had until that final buzzer. We’re definitely looking forward to the future and how we can finish out this season if we continue to play like we did today.”

SIKESTON 53, NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL 42

NMCC 6 13 12 11 — 42

Sikeston 20 7 15 11 — 53

__NMCC (42) —__ Emani Summers 26, Jordan Maltbia 9, Destiny Hughes 5, N Natyra Grey 2. FG: 15. FT: 8-25. F: 10. (3-pointers: Summers 2. Fouled out: none.)

__Sikeston (53) —__ Jakiah Adams 19, Landri Hammontree 18, Alex Segers 6, Nayla Bonner 4, Marlie Crook 2, Ja’Naye Moore 2, Keara Johnson 2. FG: 20. FT: 4-9. F: 19. (3-pointers: Adams 5, Hammontree 4. Fouled out: Segers.)

DELTA 66, SIKESTON 63, OT

Delta 12 20 18 5 11 — 66

Sikeston 20 10 13 12 8 — 63

__Delta (66) —__ Olivia Wagoner 18, Jade Berry 16, Addison Nichols 14, Grace Ancell 6, Allie Hampton 6, Presley Holweg 4, Emma Water 2. FG: 2224. FT: 20-31. F: 12. (3-pointers: Berry 2. Fouled out: none.)

__Sikeston (63) —__ Landri Hammontree 32, Alex Segers 11, Jakiah Adams 11, Nayla Bonner 9. FG: 25. FT: 5-10. F: 25. (3-pointers: Hammontree 3, Adams 3, Bonner 1, Segers 1. Fouled out: Kristen Fairhurst.)