THE LATEST LINE: CHARLESTON DIDN'T ROLL, BUT THE JAYS DID PREVAIL

Well, the 53rd annual University High School Christmas Tournament didn't play out exactly like I thought it would because Charleston didn't breeze to the title.

But the Blue Jays -- despite several bumps in the road along the way -- did ultimately win their record 12th tourney championship, including their fifth in the last seven year.

I have to admit, entering the tournament I didn't really think anybody would be able to challenge the Blue Jays.

But Charleston received some major scares, including against unheralded Woodland in the quarterfinals. The Blue Jays needed overtime to squeeze out a one-point victory.

Then in the semifinals Scott City gave Charleston all it could handle before the Blue Jays prevailed by three points.

Charleston finally flashed the form that most people expected with a 15-point win over Kelly in the championship game.

The Blue Jays' close calls -- and plenty of parity among the next several seeds -- certainly made for quite an exciting and entertaining tournament all the way through.

In addition to Charleston winning the title, several other teams made their presence felt with impressive showings.

Kelly, of course, turned plenty of heads by advancing all the way to the finals. Sure, the Hawks were seeded second, but they still probably had plenty of skeptics entering the tourney.

No longer, however. The Hawks served notice that they will be one of the area's stronger teams by reaching the finals for the first time since 1981.

Scott City also had an impressive tournament for the second straight season. Last year the Rams made the finals before losing to Cape Central. This time, Scott City rolled past Cape Central for third place after barely losing to Charleston in the semis.

Delta, a Class 1A team, finished the highest among the smallest schools by placing sixth. The Bobcats very nearly beat Scott City in the quarterfinals before falling in OT.

Cape Central could not match its championship showing of last year, but the sixth-seeded Tigers did better their predicted finish with fourth place.

Jackson, after losing to Cape Central in the quarterfinals, came back to place fifth.

Woodland turned some heads by almost stunning Charleston and even an unheralded squad like Bell City played some strong games on its way to a ninth-place finish that bettered its No. 11 seed by two slots.

Overall, it was a great tournament that probably exceeded the expectations of most people -- myself included.

* The way the area Class 2A teams played in the tournament tells us that it's going to be a real dogfight to see what 2A squad emerges as Southeast Missouri's best.

There is sure going to be plenty of competition. In the U-High tourney alone, you had Kelly and Scott City looking extremely strong and even Woodland and Notre Dame showing flashes.

Then a bit further south, Portageville is regarded by some as the best 2A team around while Hayti is loaded with talent and East Carter County is solid again.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian